Chopper owner in a ‘conspiracy matrix’

A remote helicopter company owner was in a ‘matrix’ of people in an alleged conspiracy to destroy evidence from a fatal chopper crash, a court has heard.

Helicopter company chief pilot Michael Keith Burbidge and wife Jade outside court. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

A remote helicopter company owner was in a “matrix” of people in an alleged conspiracy to destroy evidence from a fatal chopper crash, a court has heard.

Remote Helicopters Australia director and chief pilot Michael Keith Burbidge held his wife Jade’s hand as he walked into Darwin Local Court on Wednesday. Prosecutors alleged the 44-year old attempted to pervert the course of justice, destroyed evidence, made a false declaration and fabricated evidence following the death of Chris “Willow” Wilson, 34. His body was found 40m from the wreckage of a Robinson R44 near the King River, West Arnhem, on February 28.

The Outback Wrangler star and father was killed in a helicopter crash on an ill-fated crocodile egg-collecting mission. His 28-year-old pilot, Sebastian Robinson, was critically injured.

On Wednesday, Burbidge appeared for the first time before Judge Ben O’Loughlin accused of conspiring to cover up elements of the crash. “We’re not saying Mr Burbidge is the main player, or indeed a central player,” prosecutor Steve Ledek said. “But he is part of an overall matrix of individuals who have come together to obfuscate and to impede the proper investigation into the circumstances of that fatality.”

Burbidge made an application to vary his bail to allow him to leave the Territory.

Defence barrister Paul Crean said Burbidge often worked with interstate operators, who required his unique skills as a remote helicopter pilot.

The court heard the pilot was highly-valued in the industry for his crocodile egg-collecting, and had had previously been contacted by NT Police for remote rescues and other services. Mr Ledek said the crown did not want to “stymie” Burbidge’s business operations, but held concerns that he would contact people connected to the investigation.

crash victim Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

The court heard under his current bail conditions, Burbidge was barred from contacting Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright, pilots Jock Purcell and Morgan Vilder, Tim Johnston, and former police officer Neil Mellon.

Mr Ledek successfully applied for three others to be added to the non-contact order: Matt Wright’s wife Kayia Wright, Jai Tomlinson and Nick Fordham.

However, he failed in an attempt to block Burbidge from contacting the “crocodile king” and Australia’s largest saltwater croc farmer, Mick Burns, pilot Ty Richardson, Tim Luck, and David Hannon. “(They were) all inextricably linked to the events of that day,” Mr Ledek said.

He said Mr Luck and Mr Richardson were in one of the three choppers and among the first to land at the crash during the ill-fated egg-collecting trip.

The court heard Mr Burns was also at the crash site in February.

“They saw certain things, they are witnesses to some of the events that Mr Burbidge has engaged in,” Mr Ledek said.

There was no allegation anyone named in the non-contact order had committed an offence, with the exception of alleged co-accused Mellon. Mellon was charged with 35 offences, including perverting the course of justice, destroying evidence, as well as wildlife, fireworks and firearms offences. Mr Ledek said given the conspiracy charges and “large volume of persons of interest”, more was needed to prevent any contamination of evidence or witness statements.

The helicopter wreckage.

“It’s not necessarily about his desire to speak with them, it’s about those people who may contact him,” Mr Ledek said.

“The stakes are very high when we come to something connected to a very serious incident, that is more or less associated with the death or fatality in a helicopter crash.” However, Mr Crean said Burbidge’s work meant he had ongoing business with the four men, particularly Mr Burns in the lead-up to crocodile egg-collecting season.

NT News