Drug and Organised Crime Squad investigating Outback Wrangler chopper crash that killed Chris Wilson

Seven major police squads have joined forces with federal agencies to find out why Netflix star Chris Wilson died in an NT helicopter crash.

Chris Wilson with his sons in December 2021. Picture: Supplied

The extraordinary scale of a Northern Territory chopper crash investigation has emerged after Darwin detectives revealed that seven of their major squads – including drug and organised crime – have joined forces with federal agencies to find out why Netflix star Chris Wilson is dead.

The NT Police Force has provided an unprecedented insight into the scope and scale of its search for answers, while refuting Outback Wrangler Matt Wright’s “disappointing” public statements suggesting pilot Sebastian Robinson was responsible for the crash.

Almost 15 months after the aviation incident that killed ‘’Willow’’, as Wilson was known, and left Mr Robinson, 30, with severe spinal injuries, NT detectives continue to painstakingly piece together Wilson’s final moments so they can bring those responsible for his death to justice.

NT police this week revealed to The Weekend Australian that the secretive probe has involved specialist detectives from the Major Crime Squad, Serious Crime Squad, Territory Major Crash Investigation Unit, Special References Unit, Fraud Squad, Drug and Organised Crime Squad, and the Territory Intelligence and Digital Forensics Unit, who have all helped secure evidence connected to the circumstances surrounding the crash.

“Detectives have executed over a dozen warrants and orders in the Territory and other states, including NSW and South Australia, and spoken to over a hundred witnesses and experts,” a spokesperson said this week. “They are sorting through thousands of pages of records and physical exhibits. Additionally, investigators have been inundated with hundreds of photos and videos and would like to thank members of the public for their assistance.”

The Weekend Australian understands that among the exhibits is the raw footage from Wright’s new Netflix series Wild Croc Territory, which prominently features Wilson, released late last year.

In response to questions, NT police also confirmed they had engaged experts from various law enforcement agencies, including state and federal authorities, to scrutinise the evidence.

Wilson, 34, was killed when the helicopter from which he was slinging crashed on a crocodile egg collecting mission at West Arnhem Land on February 28, 2022.

The destroyed Robinson R44 Raven II, registered VH-IDW, was owned and operated by Wright’s company Helibrook and was being flown by Mr Robinson, who had 2500 hours’ flying experience.

Pilot Sebastian Robinson.

“The NT police investigation is substantially complete (but) some circumstances surrounding the helicopter crash are still under review, and this investigation will continue for as long as needed,” the spokesperson said.

“The helicopter, which crashed in a remote location and resulted in Chris Wilson losing his life and another young man being seriously injured, was not sophisticated by modern aviation standards.

“It did not contain a flight recorder or GPS tracker, and piecing together the last moments and flight history of the aircraft has been extraordinarily difficult.

“However, detectives are committed to finding answers for the Wilson family and bringing anyone responsible … to justice.”

Matt Wright and Michael Burbidge carry Chris Wilson’s coffin at his funeral in Darwin. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The police revelations follow an article published last weekend in which Wright accused detectives of ignoring crucial evidence and inferred that Mr Robinson was under the influence of drugs when the helicopter crashed.

“NT police are disappointed with comments … in the media last weekend,” the spokesperson said.

“Speculation on blood tests of persons involved without full context, and comments alluding to who and what was responsible for the crash, undermine the judicial and coronial processes. It is also not helpful to Willow’s family and friends, who are grieving and deserve better.”

NT police said “in the agreed protocol” with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, any death-related charges must be approved by the director. “Three people have been charged with alleged offences against the administration of justice and dishonesty offences relating to the crash,” the spokesperson said.

In November, Wright, 43, was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process.

Helicopter pilot Michael Burbidge, former police officer Neil Mellon and Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright.

He claims to be the “main target” of police investigations but former senior cop Neil Mellon and pilot Michael Burbidge – who were at the crash site – have also been charged with serious offences including making false statements, the destruction of evidence and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The three men are due in the Darwin Local Court on May 31.

NT Police said “multiple interested stakeholders” in the crash – including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, NT WorkSafe and NT Coroner’s office – were all committed to “preventing similar incidents from happening in the future”.

“The matter is before the court, and as such, NT Police will make no further comment at this time,” its spokesperson said.

Detectives have urged anyone with any information about the crash to call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.