Outback Wrangler Matt Wright off to prison for obstructing fatal helicopter crash investigation
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright has been ordered to serve five months behind bars for obstructing the investigation into a helicopter crash that killed his friend and co-star.
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright will serve five months behind bars for obstructing the investigation into a helicopter crash that killed friend and co-star Chris “Willow” Wilson.
Mr Wilson was suspended underneath the helicopter at the time of the crash in the remote Northern Territory on February 28, 2022, for the purpose of collecting crocodile eggs.
An Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found the crash was caused by the engine stopping, most likely due to fuel exhaustion.
A trial in the NT Supreme Court found in the aftermath of the crash, Wright lied to police about how much fuel was in the helicopter tanks. The jury also determined Wright asked pilot Sebastian Robinson to move a “few hours off” the records of the crash chopper to his own helicopter to hide the fact it was due for a major maintenance overhaul.
Supreme Court acting justice Alan Blow delivered a ten month prison sentence, suspended after five months, plus a $5000 fine for the offence of lying to police.
In sentencing, Justice Blow said the character references for Wright supplied by seven people including country music star Lee Kernaghan, were some of the most impressive he had ever read.
His support of charitable causes ran to donations of $120,000 and prizes for fundraising events in support of the Starlight Foundation, Make a Wish and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, noted the judge.
But he also admonished Wright’s “callousness” in the aftermath of the crash, when he went to hospital to ask the seriously injured pilot to falsify documents.
“It’s significant you had the callousness to make and pursue this request at a time when Mr Robinson had come out of a coma and just learned he would not walk again,” said Justice Blow.
“He was heavily medicated and very vulnerable. I am satisfied you attempted to take advantage of your then friendship with Mr Robinson and his enormous respect for you when you attempted to get him to falsify your maintenance release.”
The judge noted the maximum penalty for the offence was 15 years imprisonment, and said he would take into account admissions made by Wright which shortened his trial by four weeks “saving the Crown a great deal of money”.
“There was some degree of planning in your conduct from March 3 to March 13, 2022, and in all of the circumstances I think the only appropriate penalty is a period of actual imprisonment,” said Justice Blow.
“I think what you did is too serious not to serve prison time.”
Wright’s defence lawyer Luke Officer had sought a suspended sentence or community corrections order for his client, saying he could not be held responsible for the crash, the death of Mr Wilson nor for the injuries to Mr Robinson.
The court heard Mr Wright had suffered significant financial hardship as a result of the helicopter crash and the subsequent case, and was “teetering on the edge of financial ruin”.
“He lost his AOC (aircraft operator certificate), and his pilot’s licence. It’s very unlikely he’ll get that back again,” Mr Officer said.
Crown prosecutor Jason Mr Gullaci, SC, said the defence had presented a “diet Coke version” of the charges against Mr Wright, saying the “characterisation was wrong, and contrary to the verdict”.
“It’s the lowest possible interpretation of the facts,” said Mr Gullaci.
“(He) was trying to stop an open and proper investigation of a fatal helicopter crash; that elevates (the seriousness).”
He acknowledged there were no threats made by Mr Wright and no pressure applied to update flight log books post-crash, but argued there “was a level of intimidation because of the celebrity status he held through his own hard work and success”.
“He was someone these younger men found to have an intimidating presence, he was someone they wanted to please,” Mr Gullaci said.
“Mr Wright’s decision to subvert the investigation was a breach of trust of the deceased, Mr Wilson and also (pilot) Sebastian Robinson. And why did he do it? Because he prioritised his own interests above that of a thorough and proper investigation.”
Mr Wright’s wife Kaia is pregnant with their third child, due to arrive in April.
It was unclear whether he would be out of jail in time for the birth, after Justice Blow ordered him to serve half of a ten month sentence.
Mr Wilson’s widow Danielle Wilson is undertaking Federal Court action against the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for approving “human slinging” under helicopters, and is also suing Mr Wright.
The matter is expected to go to trial in the second half of 2026.
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