URGENT UPDATE: The trial of reality TV star Matt Wright is unfolding in the Supreme Court of Darwin, revealing shocking details about the reckless world of helicopter operations in crocodile country. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice following a tragic helicopter crash in February 2022 that claimed the life of his friend and co-star Chris “Willow” Wilson.
In a dramatic courtroom situation, pilot Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic from the crash, has been subjected to intense questioning via video link from his wheelchair. Over the past three days, Robinson has described the perilous conditions of helicopter egg-collecting, where a handler is lowered onto croc nests amid dangerous wildlife.
Wright’s legal team has painted Robinson as a “party animal” with a history of cocaine use, alleging he frequently violated aviation regulations by disconnecting flight-hour meters. However, the jury has also heard that Wright himself is accused of similar practices, including disconnecting meters and falsifying maintenance records, which prosecutors claim were standard in the industry.
The prosecution alleges that after the crash, Wright took drastic measures to cover up his operations, including asking an associate to “torch” the maintenance release for the crashed helicopter. He is also accused of misleading investigators about the helicopter’s fuel levels and attempting to transfer flying hours from the crashed helicopter to his own.
The dangerous nature of the work has been emphasized in court, where defense counsel David Edwardson described the tight-knit community of helicopter egg-collectors as “thick as thieves.” The trial, now entering its second week, is expected to last at least three more weeks, as family members of Robinson are set to testify next week regarding Wright’s alleged pressure tactics concerning flight records.
Robinson, while admitting to past cocaine use, has denied ever flying under the influence. He has also firmly rejected claims that the helicopter ran out of fuel during the crash. As the trial continues, the implications for aviation safety and regulation in the Northern Territory are becoming increasingly significant.
Stay tuned for more updates as the trial progresses and new evidence comes to light. The stakes are high, and the courtroom drama is just beginning.
