Bush pilot on crocodile eggs crash charges

Helicopter bush pilot Michael Burbidge has been charged in relation to the chopper crash that killed Outback Wrangler cast member Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson next to a helicopter piloted by Michael Burbridge.

Helicopter bush pilot Michael Burbidge has been charged in relation to the chopper crash that killed Outback Wrangler cast member Chris “Willow” Wilson.

Northern Territory Police arrested the 44-year-old in Darwin on Wednesday morning following an ongoing investigation into the helicopter crash in West Arnhem Land in February.

A few hours later, Mr Burbidge was charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, attempt to pervert the course of justice, destruction of evidence and providing a false statement in a statutory declaration.

The Remote Helicopters Australia director and chief pilot was bailed to appear in the Darwin Local Court on October 19.

Wilson – a cast member of Nat­ional Geographic’s reality television show Outback Wrangler – was killed when the Robinson R44 helicopter from which he was dangling crashed on the King River in a remote part of West Arnhem Land.

He had been strapped into a harness attached to a 30m-long line to collect crocodile eggs when the chopper collided with terrain about 30km south of South Goulburn Island.

The 34-year-old – who also features in the Nine Network’s new series Matt Wright’s Wild Territory – left behind his wife, Danielle, and two young sons.

The Australian can exclusively reveal that Mr Burbidge was one of four men who flew to the crash scene immediately after the downed chopper was discovered mid-morning on February 28.

The helicopter was operated by Helibrook, the company of prominent influencer, tourism operator and Outback Wrangler host Matt Wright.

The crocodile-egg harvesting business is run by Darwin publican Mick Burns, who was also a co-director of Northern Australia Civil with Wilson.

Mr Burbidge flew to the crash site with Mr Wright, Mr Burns and senior NT police officer Neil Mellon.

Sergeant Mellon was last month charged with 31 criminal offences including conspiracy to pervert the course of justice – which carries a 15-year jail sentence – and destruction of evidence in relation to the major crash investigation.

Sergeant Mellon was also charged with unlawfully accessing data and disclosing confidential information as well as multiple weapons, firearms and wildlife offences.

The Australian revealed that Sergeant Mellon’s most serious alleged offences were connected to the chopper crash.

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The Australian also revealed he had flown to the site – while off-duty – and retrieved his friend’s body, took photos and established the incident scene while waiting for authorities to arrive.

The veteran officer, who was until recently acting officer in charge of the Territory Response Group, was initially suspended from work without pay but has since resigned.

The 47-year-old, who is on bail, is due to appear in Darwin Local Court on Friday.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s preliminary report revealed the R44 Raven II registered VH-IDW – which Wilson was on-board – was one of three Robinson R44 helicopters on the egg collection mission.

The report found the accident happened shortly after the aircraft left its landing zone and the chopper’s engine stopped before the chopper hit the ground.

The ATSB’s examination of the engine found there were no defects likely to result in engine failure at the time. Its final report is expected to be released by the end of the year.

The NT’s workplace safety watchdog has since launched an investigation into the helicopter crash, and the NT Police Service investigation into the major crash is ongoing.

The Australian understands that others are expected to be charged in relation to the ­incident.