NT WorkSafe considering ‘possible prosecution’ over fatal Outback Wrangler chopper crash

The NT’s workplace safety watchdog is contemplating ‘possible prosecution’ over the fatal chopper crash that killed Netflix star Chris Wilson.

Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

The Northern Territory’s workplace safety watchdog is contemplating “possible prosecution” over the fatal chopper crash that killed Netflix star Chris Wilson and won’t release the findings from its ongoing investigation because they could form part of a potential brief of evidence.

NT WorkSafe this week told The Australian it was still investigating the high-profile helicopter crash, which occurred during a crocodile egg collecting mission in a remote part of West Arnhem Land, to determine whether any breaches of work health and safety laws had occurred.

Celebrity croc-wrangler Matt Wright’s company Helibrook owned and operated the destroyed Robinson R44 Raven II which collided with terrain, soon after take-off from a staging area on the King River, 30km south of South Goulburn Island, in February 2022.

At the time of the crash the helicopter, registered VH-IDW, was contracted to Mick Burns’ company Wildlife Harvesting NT.

The activity was conducted under a Civil Aviation Safety Authority instrument authorising the pilot to carry an egg collector on a 30m line attached to the helicopter.

Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

After the fatal crash, NT WorkSafe issued prohibition notices to the three companies who were involved in harvesting crocodile eggs, temporarily banning the practice of slinging egg collectors beneath choppers.

“The prohibition notice required each business to detail to NT WorkSafe how they would remedy any risks associated with transporting workers suspended from a helicopter via a sling, before they could recommence the activity,” a spokesperson said this week.

“The prohibition notices have been lifted for two companies and remains in place for the remaining one.

“Further findings, including our investigation report, will not be made public as these will form part of NT WorkSafe’s brief of evidence for a possible prosecution, if our investigation has determined there has been a potential breach of the work health and safety laws.”

If its inspectors determine there is enough evidence, the regulator will launch prosecutions with possible offences ranging up to industrial manslaughter which carries the penalty of life imprisonment for an individual or, for a business, a $10,075,000 fine.

WorkSafe must initiate proceedings within two years from when an offence first comes to the notice of the regulator.

Matt Wright leaving the Darwin Local Court in December 2023. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

Late last year the Australian Transport Safety Bureau released its final report into the accident, finding that the helicopter “likely” crashed due to fuel exhaustion.

Wilson – who starred alongside Wright in reality television shows including Outback Wrangler and Wild Croc Territory – was strapped into a harness attached to a 30-metre-long line to collect crocodile eggs when the helicopter’s engine started to lose power.

“During the subsequent autorotation, the pilot released the egg collector above a likely-survivable height, fatally injuring them,” the ATSB report said.

“The pilot then completed the autorotation to the ground, but there was insufficient main rotor energy to cushion the landing.

“This resulted in serious injuries to the pilot and substantial damage to the helicopter.”

Pilot Sebastian Robinson, 30, suffered severe spinal injuries and is now paraplegic.

The ATSB also identified serious “safety issues” involving Helibrook and CASA.

CASA this week refused to comment on whether it has taken any enforcement action against Helibrook or its key personnel since Wilson’s death.

“There are a number of court proceedings underway and given this, it would be inappropriate for us to comment,” a spokesperson said.

Wilson with wife Danielle and their sons.

Wilson, 34, left behind his wife Danielle and their two young sons.

Ms Wilson recently launched civil proceedings against Helibrook and CASA in the Federal Court over her husband’s death.

Since the crash Wright and two others – pilot Michael Burbidge and former police officer Neil Mellon – have been charged with offences including making false statements, destroying evidence and either conspiring or attempting to pervert the course of justice.

At a preliminary examination last month, Burbidge and Mellon pleaded guilty to destroying evidence in relation to Wilson’s mobile phone which went missing from the crash site. The two men will separately be sentenced on February 29 and March 1.

Deputy Chief Judge Tanya Fong Lim committed the most serious of Wright’s seven criminal charges – attempting to pervert the course of justice – to the Supreme Court.

It is listed for a criminal call-over on January 18, where a trial date or another hearing could be set.

The NT Police investigation into the crash and its aftermath is ongoing.