The hour meter in Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright’s chopper was allegedly disconnected when it crashed killing Chris “Willow” Wilson

The hour meter in Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright’s chopper was allegedly disconnected the day it crashed, killing cast member Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright heads to his flight at Sydney Airport. Picture: Liam Mendes

The hour meter in Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright’s chopper was allegedly disconnected the day it crashed, killing cast member Chris “Willow” Wilson, during a crocodile egg collection mission in a remote part of the Northern Territory.

The Australian also understands pilot Jock Purcell, who was on the February 28 egg collection mission and landed at the crash site, lifted the destroyed helicopter’s dash to check if the Hobbs meter was connected before screwing the dash back down by hand.

This comes after Northern Territory police on Tuesday night charged Mr 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 43-year-old was bailed to appear in Darwin Local Court at 9.30am on Wednesday. His bail conditions include that he is not to contact certain people and to reside at a particular address.

The charges relate to Mr Wright’s actions before and after the fatal crash involving his helicopter – a R44 Raven II registered VH-IDW – and include allegations Mr Wright tampered with evidence at the remote crash site.

Wilson, 34, was killed when the helicopter he was dangling from crashed on the King River in a remote part of West Arnhem Land on the last day of Darwin’s wet season.

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

Pilot Sebastian Robinson was lying in a crocodile-infested swamp for more than three hours before CareFlight arrived and took him to hospital. The critically injured 28-year-old suffered severe spinal injuries but survived.

CareFlight later transported Wilson’s body, accompanied by Mr Burns, to Darwin while Mr Wright, Mr Mellon, Mr Purcell and others including pilot Michael Burbidge remained at the scene.

It is also suspected fuel was possibly drained from VH-IDW before investigators arrived, to make it look like Mr Robinson had not adequately fuelled the aircraft prior to the crash.

However, on Monday The Australian revealed Wilson had snapped a photo, shortly before landing at the egg collection staging area, capturing the fuel gauge.

The photo, shared in a WhatsApp group, showed the tank was almost full before the fatal crash.

The photo is at odds with information in the Australian Transport Safety Bureau‘s preliminary report, which revealed investigators could only drain about 250ml of blue fuel from the main tank’s bladder despite the two fuel bladder tanks being intact.

Wilson’s mobile phone, on which the gauge photo was taken, went missing from the crash site. The Australian understands investigators believe it was taken from the scene and suspect it is now at the bottom of the ocean.

The Australian can reveal Mr Wright’s unlawful entry charges relate to him allegedly entering Mr Robinson’s home and his helicopter hangar without permission.

It is understood Mr Purcell, who works for Mr Wright, is also accused of unlawfully entering Mr Robinson’s hangar in the days after the fatal crash.

On Tuesday, Mr Purcell, who also featured in reality series Outback Wrangler, refused to comment.

Police will also allege Mr Wright regularly disconnected the hour meter in VH-IDW and other helicopters used by his company, and instructed other staff to do the same.

On Monday, Mr Wright’s spokesperson said he “strenuously denies any wrongdoing” and will be “vigorously defending the charges”.

CASA told The Australian that given the matter is under investigation by the ATSB it would be inappropriate for it to comment.

“We will review the ATSB findings once they become available,” a spokesperson said.

The ATSB’s final report is set to be released early next year.

The NT police investigation into the crash is ongoing. The Australian understands others are expected to be charged in relation to the crash and its aftermath.