Outback Wrangler chopper crash cop Neil Mellon facing a new charge over NT investigation

The three men charged in relation to the crash that killed Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson will all appear in court on the same day next month.

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

The three men – including Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright – who have so far been charged in relation to the February chopper crash that killed Chris “Willow” Wilson during a crocodile egg collecting mission in the Northern Territory will all appear in court on the same day next month.

At a brief mention on Wednesday afternoon Neil Mellon’s matter was adjourned to January 25, which is the same day celebrity croc-wrangler Wright and bush helicopter pilot Michael Burbidge are due back in the Darwin Local Court.

The court also heard Mr Mellon, a former senior police officer, is expected to be charged with a further offence in relation to the February 28 helicopter crash. Mr Mellon is already accused of committing more than 30 offences including disclosure of confidential information and unlawfully ­accessing data to gain benefit.

His most serious charges – making a false statement, the ­destruction of evidence and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice – relate to the major crash investigation into the incident.

Prosecutor Steve Ledek told the court more evidence would be presented to Mr Mellon’s defence team before Christmas. “It will be accompanied by an additional charge,” he said, without specifying what the charge would be.

Wilson, 34, was killed when the helicopter he was dangling from crashed on the King River in a remote part of West Arnhem Land.

The destroyed R44 Raven II, registered VH-IDW, was owned and operated by Wright’s company Helibrook.

Wright flew to the scene immediately after the crash with Darwin publican Mick Burns, who owns the crocodile egg harvesting business, and Mr Mellon.

CareFlight later transported pilot Sebastian Robinson, who was critically injured, to hospital before returning to take Wilson’s body – accompanied by Mr Burns – to Darwin. Wright and Mr Mellon remained at the scene with the other pilots and egg collectors who had been on the mission that morning.

Police last week charged Wright with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process by making threats/reprisals.

The charges relate to Wright’s actions before and after the crash and include allegations that he tampered with evidence at the site.

Wright’s spokesman said the 43-year-old “strenuously ­denies any wrongdoing” and would be “vigorously defending the charges”. Wright has been bailed to reside in Queensland until his next court appearance.

Mr Burbidge – who was on the crocodile egg collection mission and discovered the downed chopper before landing at the scene – has been 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 44-year-old’s matter was last mentioned on November 23. Defence lawyer Paul Crean told the judge he had received “a fairly significant brief” about which he had “quite a considerable amount to consider”. “It’s a pretty complex matter, it’s a conspiracy matter, there’s a number of different moving pieces,” he said.

All three men are due back in the court at 2pm on January 25.

Wright recently relocated to the Gold Coast with his wife Kaia and their toddler. They have since welcomed a new baby.

Mr Burbidge, who lives in Darwin, was arrested and charged just weeks later.

None of the men are allowed to contact each other – directly or ­indirectly – as a part of their bail conditions.