Outback Wrangler Matt Wright claims pilot used cocaine before fatal crash

Netflix star Matt Wright is suggesting that his pilot was under the influence of drugs at the time of a Northern Territory chopper crash that killed his Outback Wrangler co-star Chris “Willow” Wilson.

Matt Wright attends Darwin Local Court to answer charges relating to the death of his Outback Wrangler co-star Chris ”Willow” Wilson in February 2022. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Netflix star Matt Wright has implied his pilot was under the influence of drugs at the time of a Northern Territory chopper crash that killed his Outback Wrangler co-star Chris “Willow” Wilson.

Mr Wright has been charged 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 following the crash that killed 34-year-old Wilson.

Through two of his lawyers and his reputational risk consultant, the celebrity croc-wrangler this week executed the highly-orchestrated public relations manoeuvre during his most recent court mention in Darwin by suggesting pilot Sebastian Robinson had used cocaine prior to the fatal flight.

During the brief hearing on Wednesday, Darwin defence lawyer Giles O‘Brien-Hartcher asked the judge to make an order for particulars of the case during which he ventilated medical information about the pilot which did not relate to his client’s criminal charges.

“Those particulars relate to charges, the admissibility of the ATSB and CASA material, and the relevance of the toxicology report of the pilot who was flying at the time, and the relevance of the fuel in the helicopter,” he said.

Mr O‘Brien-Hartcher then tendered a legal letter, detailing Mr Robinson’s toxicology results, to the court.

The March 30 letter from Wright’s Sydney-based lawyer David Newey to Crown Senior Crown Prosecutor Steven Ledek poses a series of questions and outlines information contained in the prosecution’s brief of evidence.

It states the brief includes “a toxicology report of the pilot’s blood sample taken after the crash which records the detection of cocaine derivatives in the pilot’s blood sample”.

Mr Robinson was flying Mr Wright’s helicopter VH-IDW when it crashed during a crocodile egg collecting mission in a remote part of West Arnhem Land on February 28, 2022.

The letter tendered to the court says the brief also includes “an interview with Mr Robinson where he was cautioned by the police that investigations concerned possible manslaughter charges and charges that persons were responsible for death and harm that resulted from the accident involving VH-IDW”.

The chopper piloted by Sebastian Robinson which crashed last year, resulting in the death of Outback Wrangler star Chris “Willow” Wilson.

To hammer home their imputation, Wright’s PR team then distributed a pre-prepared statement to reporters as soon as court concluded.

“I’ve seen the damage drugs do to indigenous and other communities. If I had any suspicion the externally contracted pilot had been using them, he would not have been allowed to fly,” Mr Wright said.

“While not commenting on processes currently before the courts, this does also raise serious questions as to why I have been the main target of investigations, instead of the cause of the crash.

“With the rampant crime across the NT and the fact police have had access to this information for some time – it’s concerning that I appear to have been the major focus.

“Nothing will bring Willow back, which will always be the worst part of this. But trying to lay blame on me is not fair or accurate.”

The “externally contracted pilot” was, until a few weeks before the crash, Mr Wright’s Head of Aircraft Airworthiness and Maintenance Control at his aviation company Helibrook.

Mr Robinson, who is also an aircraft engineer, left Helibrook when he obtained his own Air Operator‘s Certificate on in early February last year.

He also featured alongside Mr Wright on National Geographic’s Outback Wrangler.

The Australian has previously revealed that Mr Wright twice visited Mr Robinson at a Brisbane hospital in the days following the crash and allegedly tried to get him to falsify records relating to the destroyed chopper and to delete evidence from his mobile phone.

Mr Robinson, who almost died in the crash, declined to comment on the drug use allegations.

The 29-year-old, who has severe spinal injuries, has not been charged with anything.

His toxicology report itself was not tendered in evidence and Mr Wright’s representatives refused to answer further questions from The Australian about Mr Robinson’s alleged cocaine use, the cocaine derivatives detected in his blood sample, or the trace levels at which they were detected.

“I’m sorry, we are unable to comment further on those matters as they are before the courts,” his spokesperson said on Thursday.

“The only information available is that which was admitted into evidence yesterday.”

In any case, all of Wright’s charges to date relate to what he allegedly did after the crash, not what caused it.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is still investigating the cause of the crash and NT Police’s Major Crash Unit is still investigating Wilson’s death.

Wright claims he is 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 in relation to the investigation. Mr Mellon is accused of 32 offences.

Mr Newey’s letter to Mr Ledek said they were seeking particulars of the charges Mr Wright is facing and disclosure of any outstanding material related to the charges. He also sought to “clarify a number of matters”.

“We have asked whether additional charges are intended to be pursued against Mr Wright arising from the statement of facts served,” it said.

“You are yet to advise, are you able to do so.”

Mr Newey even asked Mr Ledek in his letter to “particularise” how the cause of the crash is relevant to his client’s charges.

“Additionally could you please advise of the particulars of the relevance … of the cause of the crash to the current charges laid against Mr Wright,” he wrote.

That question reveals that they do not see how Mr Robinson’s toxicology results are relevant to Wright’s current charges either.

Mr Wright’s matter was adjourned until May 31. A two-day contested committal hearing was tentatively set for June 19.