Critically injured pilot Sebastian Robinson ‘infatuated’ with helicopters before fatal Outback Wrangler crash

An award-winning documentary about Sebastian Robinson, filmed a fortnight before he was critically injured in a fatal chopper crash, has been screened in Darwin.

Pilot Sebastian Robinson during filming of Kane Chenoweth's documentary Sky Cowboy in February 2022.

An award-winning documentary about pilot Sebastian Robinson, filmed a fortnight before he was critically injured in a fatal Northern Territory chopper crash, was screened in Darwin overnight revealing his “infatuation” with helicopters before his life-changing accident.

The 30-year-old almost died when the helicopter he was flying, owned by Outback Wrangler host Matt Wright, crashed during a crocodile egg collecting mission last year.

Netflix star Chris Wilson, 34, was killed when the chopper collided with terrain on the King River at West Arnhem Land.

The cause of the crash is yet to be determined.

Weeks earlier, clothing company Ranger Outdoor had commissioned a short film about the pilot who suffered severe spinal injuries in the crash.

In the documentary shot in early February 2022, Robinson – who has not spoken publicly since the accident – said he had been flying choppers for eight years and owned two Robinson R44s.

“Growing up, I was always pretty interested in and infatuated with helicopters,” he said. “I won a boot-throwing competition and won a ride in a helicopter when I was about six … ever since then I just knew … my future was gonna be with helicopters.”

Robinson, who operates Arnhem Helicopters in Darwin, is also an aircraft engineer.

The film – which showcases the Top End’s landscapes including wetlands and waterfalls – screened at Darwin’s Deckchair Cinema, to a packed audience, on Thursday night.

“There’s just a sense of freedom when you’re in a helicopter. There’s nothing like it,” Robinson said.

“Obviously there’s a lot of passion in it and I love what I do.

“As the old saying goes, if you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

The film explores Robinson’s life in the lead up to the fatal crash.

NT filmmaker Kane Chenoweth, who directed and produced the 10-minute documentary, told The Australian it was a “very special project”.

“It was very weird timing but it’s awesome that we captured those memories before the crash,” he said.

“It shows Seb, who he is as a person, doing what he loves and gives an indication to everyone who doesn’t know Seb just what he is like.”

Photographer Nick Joyce, who features in the film, said he connected with Robinson because of their shared passions.

“We crossed paths and you couldn’t ask for a better pilot,” he said.

“Sebby just moves that machine like it’s him, you know, like he’s connected to it.

“He’s at home inside that little bubble.

“The R44 is an extension of his arms and feet, and he flies these machines with absolute precision and care.”

Robinson is one of the NT’s most respected young helicopter pilots.

Joyce said Robinson was “the best pilot I know”.

“Hearing Seb’s personal story of being a kid and seeing those machines hover over him and take off and watching grown men fly when you’re a little boy, I think he knew from a very young age what he wanted to do and what he wanted to build a career around, and he’s certainly excelling in the field that he’s chosen,” he said.

“I’m so grateful we crossed paths.

“I’m sure, and I know, we’re gonna have some bloody good trips in the future and we’ll be mates for many years to come.”

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s final report into the cause of last year’s fatal crash will be released in the next two months.

The late Chris 'Willow' Wilson with Robinson. Photo: Supplied.