UPDATE: A shocking revelation has emerged in the trial of Matt Wright, star of “Outback Wrangler,” as allegations surface that a close associate allegedly retrieved a diary from a hospitalized pilot following a fatal helicopter crash. This incident is part of an ongoing investigation into the crash that claimed the life of Wright’s co-star, Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson, on February 28, 2022.
During court proceedings, a jury heard that Tim Johnston, a friend of Wright, visited Sebastian Robinson, the sole survivor of the crash, in his Brisbane hospital room shortly after the incident. Robinson’s brother, Jacob Robinson, testified that Johnston introduced himself as Wright’s colleague and pressured him into handing over the pilot’s diary, claiming, “Matty sent him to grab it” and “We really, really need the logbook.”
Jacob recalled feeling pressured to comply, stating, “As soon as I gave it to him, he pretty much took off.” The tension escalated when their mother, Nolene Chellingworth, returned and expressed distress over the incident. Jacob later confirmed that Johnston returned the book after being called back by his mother.
The trial also revealed that Sebastian Robinson was heavily sedated and “hallucinating” when he spoke with Wright and his wife, Kaia, 11 days post-crash. Robinson disclosed that Wright allegedly asked him to transfer flight hours from the crashed helicopter—identified by the call sign IDW—to his personal aircraft, call sign ZXZ.
Robinson admitted he was behind on his maintenance logs, missing entries dating back to early December. However, Wright’s defense counsel, David Edwardson, argued that Robinson was responsible for his compliance with aviation laws under Wright’s Air Operator’s Certificate.
The prosecution is emphasizing a “pattern” of misconduct, alleging Wright attempted to conceal flight time discrepancies to bypass costly maintenance checks. Prosecutor Jason Gullaci stated that Wright was aware the helicopter should not have flown that morning due to these service requirements.
Robinson also spoke to the jury about the emotional toll of the crash, revealing he has not received any workers’ compensation since the incident. He expressed profound despair over learning he would never walk again, saying, “Learning that you’ve got a severed spinal cord… you’re scared. I wouldn’t wish that experience upon anyone.”
As the trial continues, the focus remains on the alleged actions of Wright and his associates leading up to the crash and the subsequent cover-up attempts. Key witnesses are expected to testify further, shedding more light on this tragic incident.
The courtroom drama continues on Tuesday with further testimonies, as the world watches closely to see how this high-profile case unfolds.
