Outback Wrangler pleads not guilty over chopper crash
The reality TV star was charged following the crash that killed co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson in February 2022.
Wearing a light blue shirt and blue jeans, Wright appeared calm when he fronted the Supreme Court in Darwin on Monday.
He entered not guilty pleas for three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice when he was arraigned, kissing his wife during an adjournment.
The 2022 crash in remote West Arnhem Land killed Mr Wilson, with pilot Sebastian Robinson also seriously injured.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday and is expected to take four weeks, hearing from about 25 witnesses.
Wright rose to fame starring in National Geographic's Outback Wrangler and Netflix series Wild Croc Territory.
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The Advertiser
28 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Reality TV star tried to hide flight hours, jury hears
Following a fatal helicopter crash reality TV star Matt Wright tried to get his hands on documents that might betray his under-reporting of flying hours, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial is underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin more than three years after his co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. They were on a mission to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The Crown case is that Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigators would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his helicopter company. Crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC told the jury on Wednesday the charges did not relate to the cause of the accident and it's not alleged Wright was responsible for the crash, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries. The jurors have been told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Gullaci told jurors they would hear evidence that Wright tried to procure the diary, phone and pilot's logbook of Mr Robinson while the seriously injured pilot was in hospital in Brisbane. Wright allegedly asked an associate to seek the documents and the phone from Mr Robinson's family and he reportedly visited a cottage where Mr Robinson lived to source documents. "The prosecution case is that Wright was trying to get his hands on documents that might betray to investigators what was happening," Mr Gullaci said. The trial before Acting Justice Allan Blow continues on Thursday and is expected to take three to five weeks. Following a fatal helicopter crash reality TV star Matt Wright tried to get his hands on documents that might betray his under-reporting of flying hours, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial is underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin more than three years after his co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. They were on a mission to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The Crown case is that Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigators would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his helicopter company. Crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC told the jury on Wednesday the charges did not relate to the cause of the accident and it's not alleged Wright was responsible for the crash, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries. The jurors have been told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Gullaci told jurors they would hear evidence that Wright tried to procure the diary, phone and pilot's logbook of Mr Robinson while the seriously injured pilot was in hospital in Brisbane. Wright allegedly asked an associate to seek the documents and the phone from Mr Robinson's family and he reportedly visited a cottage where Mr Robinson lived to source documents. "The prosecution case is that Wright was trying to get his hands on documents that might betray to investigators what was happening," Mr Gullaci said. The trial before Acting Justice Allan Blow continues on Thursday and is expected to take three to five weeks. Following a fatal helicopter crash reality TV star Matt Wright tried to get his hands on documents that might betray his under-reporting of flying hours, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial is underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin more than three years after his co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. They were on a mission to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The Crown case is that Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigators would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his helicopter company. Crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC told the jury on Wednesday the charges did not relate to the cause of the accident and it's not alleged Wright was responsible for the crash, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries. The jurors have been told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Gullaci told jurors they would hear evidence that Wright tried to procure the diary, phone and pilot's logbook of Mr Robinson while the seriously injured pilot was in hospital in Brisbane. Wright allegedly asked an associate to seek the documents and the phone from Mr Robinson's family and he reportedly visited a cottage where Mr Robinson lived to source documents. "The prosecution case is that Wright was trying to get his hands on documents that might betray to investigators what was happening," Mr Gullaci said. The trial before Acting Justice Allan Blow continues on Thursday and is expected to take three to five weeks. Following a fatal helicopter crash reality TV star Matt Wright tried to get his hands on documents that might betray his under-reporting of flying hours, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial is underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin more than three years after his co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. They were on a mission to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The Crown case is that Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigators would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his helicopter company. Crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC told the jury on Wednesday the charges did not relate to the cause of the accident and it's not alleged Wright was responsible for the crash, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries. The jurors have been told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Gullaci told jurors they would hear evidence that Wright tried to procure the diary, phone and pilot's logbook of Mr Robinson while the seriously injured pilot was in hospital in Brisbane. Wright allegedly asked an associate to seek the documents and the phone from Mr Robinson's family and he reportedly visited a cottage where Mr Robinson lived to source documents. "The prosecution case is that Wright was trying to get his hands on documents that might betray to investigators what was happening," Mr Gullaci said. The trial before Acting Justice Allan Blow continues on Thursday and is expected to take three to five weeks.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Reality TV star tried to hide flight hours, jury hears
Following a fatal helicopter crash reality TV star Matt Wright tried to get his hands on documents that might betray his under-reporting of flying hours, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial is underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin more than three years after his co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. They were on a mission to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The Crown case is that Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigators would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his helicopter company. Crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC told the jury on Wednesday the charges did not relate to the cause of the accident and it's not alleged Wright was responsible for the crash, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries. The jurors have been told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Gullaci told jurors they would hear evidence that Wright tried to procure the diary, phone and pilot's logbook of Mr Robinson while the seriously injured pilot was in hospital in Brisbane. Wright allegedly asked an associate to seek the documents and the phone from Mr Robinson's family and he reportedly visited a cottage where Mr Robinson lived to source documents. "The prosecution case is that Wright was trying to get his hands on documents that might betray to investigators what was happening," Mr Gullaci said. The trial before Acting Justice Allan Blow continues on Thursday and is expected to take three to five weeks.
The Australian
7 hours ago
- The Australian
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright had a ‘pattern' of manipulating helicopter records: court
An Aussie reality television star and pilot allegedly had a pattern of cooking the books for his helicopters prior to his mate's fatal crash, a court has heard. On Wednesday, Outback Wrangler Matt Wright was accused of engaging in a 'pattern' of failing to accurately record flight times in the Robinson-R-44 that crashed three years ago, killing his friend and co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson. The 45-year-old Netflix and Apple TV star has pleaded not guilty to three allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice in the seven month period after the helicopter crash. In his opening address to the NT Supreme Court jury, prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC said Mr Wilson and 28-year-old pilot Sebastian Robinson were part of a six-man operation to collect crocodile eggs around the King River in Arnhem Land, NT on February 28, 2022. Mr Gullaci told the jury this was inherently 'risky and dangerous work', saying these 'very brave' men risked their lives as they dropped into crocodile nests in the most remote corners of the Territory. Chris 'Willow' Wilson's widow, Dani Wilson attended the Supreme Court in Darwin. Picture: NewsWire/Pema Tamang Pakhrin The jury heard Wild Harvest NT owner Mick Burns — commonly known as the 'crocodile king' of the NT — had the egg collection permit and lawfully subcontracted Mr Wright's company Helibook to conduct the outback mission. The 34-year-old Mr Wilson was the passenger of a Robinson R44 when the chopper went down, killing him and critically injuring Mr Robinson. Mr Gullaci alleged Mr Wright plotted to 'cover up' certain things about the helicopter, specifically his 'pattern' of manipulating its flight records. He said as an experienced businessman and pilot, Mr Wright would have been very aware of the maintenance and service requirements of his aircraft, which include a service every 50 to 100 hours of flight and a major overhaul at 2200 hours. He said these 'potential end of life' overhauls could cost up to $460,000. Mr Gullaci said the Robinson R-44 was bought in September 2020 and had 'officially' logged 1594 in flight hours — meaning there was only 600 from the overhaul threshold. He alleged that in a recorded conversation with his wife Kaia in September 2022, Mr Wright suggested he knew he had overflown the maintenance hours 'by a couple hundred (hours), maybe 10 per cent'. 'I will be guilty of not keeping my f—king paperwork up to speed,' Mr Wright allegedly said in secretly bugged conversation. To avoid the costly safety checks, Mr Gullaci alleged Mr Wright repeatedly and 'deliberately' disconnected the chopper's Hobbs Meter, which he compared to the odometer of a car. 'In fairness to Mr Wright he wasn't Robinson Crusoe,' Mr Gullaci said. 'You will hear that in the Northern Territory aviation industry in the helicopter field, this is common practice.' Matt Wright was supported by his wife Kaia Wright at court. Picture: NewsWire/Pema Tamang Pakhrin Mr Gullaci repeatedly emphasised to the jury none of the charges alleged Mr Wright was responsible for the deadly crash, however he alleged it was the celebrity's fear he would be blamed that motivated his actions 'Mr Wright was concerned after the crash that this failure would be revealed,' Mr Gullaci said. 'And if it is uncovered that there had been systemic underreporting of the recorded hours, that it could be used as a way to blame him for the accident.' The prosecution revealed its evidence would include recordings from covert listening devices installed in the celebrity's home, and intercepted telephone calls. Among the many witnesses expected to be called will be Mr Burns and Mr Robinson, who is now a paraplegic and in a wheelchair. Despite the intense media coverage and 'keyboard warrior' commentary, Mr Gullaci reminded the jury to restrict its attention only to the evidence to maintain Mr Wright's right to a fair trial. 'For better or worse in this country we have 'Tall Poppy syndrome' … we cut down people just because they're very successful,' Mr Gullaci said. 'That is not appropriate, and there is no place for it in this trial. 'It doesn't matter if it was Snowy off the bus that no one knows, it doesn't matter if it was Taylor Swift sitting in that dock — the same protections apply for every accused person.' The trial continues on Thursday. Zizi Averill Journalist Zizi Averill is the police and crime reporter for the NT News, based up in Darwin. She previously worked as a journalist in Bendigo, Victoria and Mackay, Queensland. @ZiziAverill Zizi Averill
