Young pilots idolised reality TV star, court told
Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright.
Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified.
Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death.
The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair.
Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters.
He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence.
"Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared."
Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators.
When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend.
Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off.
The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said.
At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only.
Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said.
Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so.
"He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters.
When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high".
Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said.
Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash.
"I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash.
He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic.
Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings.
"I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court.
Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated.
"Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked.
"Not at all," Mr Robinson replied.
The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries.
The trial continues.
A pilot panicked and lied to air crash investigators after a helicopter accident that killed Outback Wrangler co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, a court has been told.
Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright.
Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified.
Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death.
The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair.
Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters.
He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence.
"Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared."
Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators.
When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend.
Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off.
The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said.
At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only.
Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said.
Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so.
"He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters.
When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high".
Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said.
Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash.
"I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash.
He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic.
Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings.
"I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court.
Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated.
"Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked.
"Not at all," Mr Robinson replied.
The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries.
The trial continues.
A pilot panicked and lied to air crash investigators after a helicopter accident that killed Outback Wrangler co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, a court has been told.
Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright.
Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified.
Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death.
The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair.
Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters.
He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence.
"Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared."
Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators.
When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend.
Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off.
The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said.
At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only.
Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said.
Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so.
"He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters.
When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high".
Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said.
Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash.
"I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash.
He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic.
Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings.
"I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court.
Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated.
"Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked.
"Not at all," Mr Robinson replied.
The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries.
The trial continues.
A pilot panicked and lied to air crash investigators after a helicopter accident that killed Outback Wrangler co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, a court has been told.
Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright.
Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified.
Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death.
The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair.
Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters.
He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence.
"Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared."
Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators.
When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend.
Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off.
The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said.
At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only.
Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said.
Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so.
"He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters.
When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high".
Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said.
Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash.
"I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash.
He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic.
Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings.
"I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court.
Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated.
"Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked.
"Not at all," Mr Robinson replied.
The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries.
The trial continues.
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Sky News AU
10 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Helicopter pilot Sebastian Robinson denies being 'raging cocaine junky' during trial of Outback Wrangler Matt Wright
Pilot Sebastian Robinson has admitted to occasional drug use but denied he is a 'raging cocaine junky' during the Supreme Court trial of crocodile wrangler Matt Wright. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice over his alleged actions following the chopper crash that killed his friend and Netflix co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson in February 2022. Mr Robinson was flying the helicopter on the day of the crash and suffered life-altering injuries, including a permanent brain injury and a severed spinal cord that has left him a paraplegic. The court had earlier heard allegations Mr Robinson was a 'party animal' and 'frequent user of cocaine'. But when questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, Mr Robinson said he had only used cocaine about 10 times in the five years before the fatal crash. 'Were you a raging cocaine junky Mr Robinson?' Mr Gullaci asked. Mr Robinson replied: 'Not at all.' He told the court that during seven years as a pilot he had never used cocaine within hours of flying or flown a helicopter while intoxicated. Mr Robinson said he was aware cocaine metabolites had been found in his system after the crash. He was also asked about police seizing his phone and downloading its contents. 'Would there be messages on that phone that would confirm your use of cocaine in the five years before the crash?' Mr Gullaci asked. Mr Robinson replied: 'I would think so, yes.' Mr Robinson was also asked about his usual practice when it came to the fuel management of helicopters. He told the court the Robinson R44 helicopters, like the one he was flying on the day of the crash, had a warning light that came on when there was 18 litres of fuel left in the tank. 'The R44 has got a low fuel system in it so with approximately 18 litres left a light in the console will illuminate very brightly and that will mean you've got approximately 18 litres, which is 18 minutes, of fuel left," he said. He said he had never seen the fuel light come on while flying. If it did come on he said he would land the helicopter straight away. Mr Robinson has been asked questions about the day of the fatal helicopter crash, but has told the court his memory is fuzzy and he only recalls glimpses of certain events. He was shown a photograph taken in the helicopter by Mr Wilson on the morning of the crash showing the helicopter's main and auxiliary tanks were each at least three quarters full. Mr Robinson agreed with Mr Gullaci that the helicopter would have had enough fuel to reach the crash site. The trial before Justice Alan Blow continues.
The Advertiser
10 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Young pilots idolised reality TV star, court told
A pilot panicked and lied to air crash investigators after a helicopter accident that killed Outback Wrangler co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, a court has been told. Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified. Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death. The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair. Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters. He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence. "Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared." Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators. When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend. Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off. The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said. At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only. Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said. Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so. "He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters. When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high". Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said. Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash. "I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash. He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic. Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings. "I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court. Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated. "Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked. "Not at all," Mr Robinson replied. The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries. The trial continues. A pilot panicked and lied to air crash investigators after a helicopter accident that killed Outback Wrangler co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, a court has been told. Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified. Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death. The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair. Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters. He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence. "Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared." Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators. When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend. Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off. The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said. At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only. Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said. Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so. "He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters. When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high". Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said. Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash. "I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash. He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic. Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings. "I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court. Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated. "Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked. "Not at all," Mr Robinson replied. The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries. The trial continues. A pilot panicked and lied to air crash investigators after a helicopter accident that killed Outback Wrangler co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, a court has been told. Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified. Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death. The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair. Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters. He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence. "Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared." Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators. When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend. Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off. The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said. At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only. Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said. Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so. "He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters. When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high". Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said. Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash. "I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash. He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic. Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings. "I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court. Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated. "Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked. "Not at all," Mr Robinson replied. The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries. The trial continues. A pilot panicked and lied to air crash investigators after a helicopter accident that killed Outback Wrangler co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, a court has been told. Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified. Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death. The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair. Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters. He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence. "Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared." Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators. When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend. Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off. The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said. At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only. Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said. Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so. "He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters. When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high". Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said. Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash. "I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash. He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic. Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings. "I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court. Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated. "Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked. "Not at all," Mr Robinson replied. The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries. The trial continues.
Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Perth Now
Huge claim on final pic of Netflix star: court
A paraplegic chopper crash survivor claims the last photo of Outback Wrangler star Chris 'Willow' Wilson showed they had enough fuel to return safely home. On Tuesday the sole survivor of the crash and former pilot Sebastian Robinson gave evidence in the chopper crash conspiracy trial of reality television star, Matt Wright. The Apple TV and Netflix celebrity has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. It has been alleged Mr Wright attempted to cover up a pattern of dodgy flight records for the helicopter that crashed on February 28, 2022 during a crocodile egg collecting mission. As the sole survivor of the crash, Mr Robinson said his last memory from that day was 'having a laugh' with his mate in the chopper. Outback Wrangler Matt Wright and his wife Kaia Wright approaching the Supreme Court in Darwin on Tuesday August 12. NewsWire/ Zizi Averill Credit: News Corp Australia The jury were shown a photo of Mr Wilson piloting the Robinson R-44 on that fateful trip — the image appearing to capture the fuel gauge between three-quarters and completely full mark. Mr Robinson said at that level, the helicopter should have been able to travel from Noonamah to King River and back. Yet the Robinson R-44 never returned, instead it plummeted into a croc-filled swamp in remote Arnhem Land, NT on February 28, 2022. Mr Wilson was killed instantly, while the 28-year-old Mr Robinson was left in a critical condition. The case does not allege Mr Wright was responsible for the crash. Croc egg collector Chris Wilson was killed, while his pilot Sebastian Robinson was critically injured in a helicopter crash on the King River, West Arnhem on February 28. Credit: News Corp Australia On Tuesday, Mr Robinson became emotional as he shared his next memory: waking up in a Brisbane hospital bed and being told his friend was dead and he would likely never walk again. The jury heard the young pilot's spinal cord was completely severed, 12 ribs broken and puncturing his lungs, while his neck, elbow and both ankles were fractured. The former pilot, now paraplegic admin worker, said he struggled with his long and short term memory due to a traumatic brain injury. Seb Robinson. Instagram Credit: News Corp Australia The pilot said in the wake of the catastrophic crash, the fear that he would be blamed and lose his licence 'went through my mind'. Mr Robinson admitted he initially lied to investigators, claiming the Hobbs metre was connected. 'It was pure panic. I was scared … of the potential repercussions,' he said. Over the past five days of evidence, the jury has repeatedly heard Mr Robinson had trace levels of cocaine in his system after the crash. His fellow pilot Jock Purcell agreed that Mr Robinson was a 'party animal', adding that everyone on that mission 'all enjoyed a beer and having a good time'. Outback Wrangler Matt Wright and his wife Kaia Wright approaching the Supreme Court in Darwin on Tuesday August 12. NewsWire/Zizi Averill Credit: News Corp Australia In court on Tuesday, Mr Robinson said he used cocaine 'a couple times a year' — up to 10 times over 12 months — but he denied he was a 'raging cocaine junkie'. Mr Robinson maintained he had never flown a helicopter while intoxicated, either by drugs or alcohol. Mr Wright's senior counsel David Edwardson previously said the reality television star had a 'zero tolerance' approach to drugs. Mr Edwardson has alleged that Mr Robinson was worried that the discrepancies in his own flight paperwork would be revealed, with Mr Purcell collecting his logbook from his friend's home two days after the crash. Matt Wright trial guide Mr Robinson made full admissions to the jury of his own dodgy record keeping practices, which he said were common across the Territory helicopter industry. After almost a decade in the industry, Mr Robinson alleged he had worked for two other businesses who similarly failed to properly record flight hours. Mr Robinson agreed he continued to 'break the rules' while working at Mr Wright's company, Helibrook. He said the reality television star knew it was 'very common' practice to disconnect the Hobbs Meter and to not record flight times, and Mr Wright directly benefited by skirting costly maintenance requirements. Chris 'Willow' Wilson. Credit: Supplied '(Mr Wright) would say 'pop the clock for this trip,' Mr Robinson alleged. The licenced aviation engineer said at the time of the crash he was only nominally Mr Wright's head of Helicopter Aircraft Airworthiness Maintenance Control, while the reality television star was the chief pilot. 'Matt controlled all aspects of his aircraft regarding maintenance scheduling,' Mr Robinson said. Mr Robinson said all of the Territory celebrity's employees 'absolutely' followed his directions, stating 'we were young men, we looked up to him'. 'Everyone looked at Matt as an idol. He'd say 'jump' and they'd say 'how high?',' he said. 'He had an aura about him. 'Everyone wanted to be around him, work for him, everyone bent over backwards to try and be a part of what he was doing.' Mr Robinson is expected to continue giving evidence on Wednesday.
