Secret recordings of reality TV personality Matt Wright are set to be presented in his trial concerning a helicopter crash that resulted in the death of his friend and co-star Chris “Willow” Wilson, with pilot Sebastian Robinson left wheelchair-bound. The trial commenced today, over three years after the tragic accident in February 2022 in the Northern Territory.
Wright has entered a not-guilty plea to three charges of attempting to obstruct justice. Notably, these charges do not relate to the accident’s cause; the prosecution is not claiming that Wright was responsible for Wilson’s death or Robinson’s injuries. Crown Prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC outlined the case against Wright, asserting that he failed to keep accurate records of flying hours, fearing that investigations might reveal wrongdoing that could lead to legal actions against him and his businesses.
The jury is expected to hear various evidence, including covertly recorded discussions involving Wright at home and on his phone. On the day of the crash, Wilson was performing an audacious act, collecting crocodile eggs while suspended from a helicopter. Wilson and Robinson, under Wright’s direction, were subcontractors collecting eggs lawfully for crocodile farms.
Prosecutor Gullaci indicated that Wright was mindful of impending investigations by aviation safety authorities and the Northern Territory Police, which could result in charges. It is alleged that he attempted to submit false information to investigators, altered records, and evaded the procurement of essential documents.
As the chief pilot, CEO, and head of flight operations for his company, Helibrook, Wright held an air operating certificate and was obliged to comply with all civil aviation regulations, maintaining safe operations. The helicopter involved in the accident had a maximum flying-hour threshold of 2200 hours, which required either retirement or a costly overhaul after reaching that limit. Evidence suggests that Wright engaged in practices to misrecord these hours, including disconnecting a meter to avoid recording the actual flying time, ultimately allowing the helicopter to exceed the airworthiness limit, flying 2640 hours instead.
This trial is crucial not only for determining Wright’s guilt in relation to the obstruction charges but also for shedding light on the practices of his aviation operations leading up to the tragic crash.