Crash Survivor Testifies in Matt Wright Trial
The sole survivor of a helicopter crash in 2022 that killed pilot Chris 'Willow' Wilson has given evidence in the trial of reality television star Matt Wright, who is accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Sebastian Robinson, a former pilot and paraplegic, testified that the last photo of Wilson showed the helicopter had enough fuel to return safely home, but it never made it back, plummeting into a swamp in remote Arnhem Land.
Key Takeaways:
- The last photo of pilot Chris 'Willow' Wilson showed the helicopter's fuel gauge between three-quarters and completely full, suggesting it had enough fuel to return safely home.
- The helicopter, a Robinson R-44, never returned and crashed in a crocodile-filled swamp in remote Arnhem Land, killing Wilson and leaving Robinson critically injured.
- Robinson, now a paraplegic, has struggled with his memory due to a traumatic brain injury and initially lied to investigators about the Hobbs meter.
- The pilot admitted to using cocaine "a couple times a year" but denied being a "raging cocaine junkie" and maintained he had never flown a helicopter while intoxicated.
- Robinson made full admissions to the jury of his own dodgy record keeping practices, which he said were common across the Territory helicopter industry.
- Matt Wright's company, Helibrook, allegedly had a "zero tolerance" approach to drugs, but employees followed Wright's directions to disconnect the Hobbs meter and not record flight times.
Statistics:
- The helicopter crash occurred on February 28, 2022.
- The pilot, Chris 'Willow' Wilson, was killed instantly in the crash.
- Sebastian Robinson, the sole survivor, suffered a traumatic brain injury, 12 broken ribs, punctured lungs, and fractured neck, elbow, and ankles, leaving him a paraplegic.
- Robinson's blood tested positive for cocaine after the crash.
Sources:
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC News)
- News Corp Australia
- Court transcript (no date provided)