Outback Wrangler Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson chopper crash draft final report shared to ‘directly involved parties’

The aviation safety watchdog has threatened anyone who leaks a draft report into Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson’s death with criminal charges.

Secrecy surrounds the draft final report into the chopper death of Outback Wrangler Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed on Monday the draft final report of the fatal helicopter crash from February 28, 2022 was complete, and awaiting feedback from “directly involved parties”.

It comes 18 months after the 34-year-old father and his 28-year-old pilot’s helicopter crashed into a West Arnhem swamp, in the Northern Territory.

Mr Wilson was last seen suspended 30m from a chopper dangling over a croc-filled river during a croc egg collecting mission.

Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson was last seen suspended 30m from a chopper dangling over a croc-filled river during a croc egg collecting mission. Pictures - Supplied

Ninety minutes later the Territory father and Outback Wrangler crew member was dead.

His body was discovered 40m from the wreckage of a Robinson R44 deep in a paperbark swamp along the King River.

His pilot Sebastian Robinson was critically injured in the crash.

In a preliminary report released in April 2022, the ATSB said there were three helicopters, each with a pilot and egg collector, on the ill-fated mission.

An ongoing court hearing — related to a separate criminal investigation into an alleged conspiracy to destroy evidence — has heard Remote Helicopters Australia director Michael Burbidge, Timothy Luck and two other chopper pilots Ty Richardson and Jock Purcell were also on the February 28 egg collecting mission.

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

Allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice, alongside other charges, have been made against Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright, Michael Burbidge and ex-NT Police officer Neil Mellon.

All three men have indicated they will fight the charges against them.

There are no allegations of wrongdoing against any one else at the scene of the crash and no one has been charged with causing Mr Wilson’s death.

On Monday the ATSB said it had provided the draft report directly to all the “involved parties” to allow them to check the report’s factual accuracy and to ensure natural justice before its release.

Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson was tragically killed in a helicopter crash in a remote part of West Arnhem Land last Monday while collecting crocodile eggs. Pictures - Supplied

The aviation safety watchdog said disclosure of the draft report for any purpose outside of taking safety action or providing comment to the ATSB could attract criminally liability.

“ATSB draft reports may contain information that is subject to change as a result of internal and external review and consideration of further evidence,” it said.

“In its draft form, copying or disclosing the report may unjustly affect reputations.

“This in turn could potentially impede and discourage the crucial, future free flow of safety information to the ATSB.”

The directly involved parties have been given 14 days to provide a response and to provide additional evidence in support of their response.

The report will then be reviewed by ATSB management before approval by the ATSB Commission for public release.

Originally published as Outback Wrangler Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson chopper crash draft final report shared to ‘directly involved parties’