The trial of crocodile wrangler and reality TV star Matt Wright is continuing in a Northern Territory court.
Wright is accused of interfering with an investigation into a 2022 helicopter crash that killed his co-host and left the pilot paralysed.
Wright was not on board the helicopter when it crashed, nor has he been accused of causing it. However, it’s alleged he was involved in a subsequent cover-up attempt.
Wright has pleaded not guilty to several charges related to evidence tampering. If convicted, he’s facing up to seven years' imprisonment.
Who is Matt Wright?
Matt Wright worked as a crocodile wrangler in the NT before appearing on two reality TV series, including Outback Wrangler.
He was also the owner of commercial helicopter company Helibrook, a tourism operator based in the NT.
The company went into liquidation in June. Liquidation is the process of a company selling off its assets to pay its pre-existing debts before closing.
The crash
On 28 February 2022, Wright’s co-star Chris Wilson and pilot Sebastian Robinson were using a Helibrook helicopter to collect crocodile eggs.
The egg-collection process involves suspending a person from the aircraft with a harness attached to a 30-metre sling line.
The helicopter crashed, killing Wilson and leaving Robinson paralysed.
No charges have been laid over the fatal crash and it is not the subject of the trial.
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The criminal case
Multiple regulatory agencies launched separate investigations into the incident.
The federal Transport Safety Bureau concluded the helicopter crashed because it ran out of fuel mid-flight.
NT WorkSafe’s investigation found “sufficient evidence” that Wright had sought to falsify the helicopter’s flight records.
In late 2022, NT police officially charged Wright with offences relating to destroying and fabricating evidence, and witness interference.
One charge relates to allegations that Wright lied to police about checking the helicopter’s fuel tanks at the crash site.
The claim arose after secretly recorded conversations revealed contradictions in his statements.
The second charge concerns several incidents in March 2022, including an alleged attempt by Wright to pressure Robinson into falsifying flight records during a hospital visit.
The third charge stems from an alleged conversation later that year, in which Wright is accused of instructing an associate to destroy helicopter maintenance documents.
The trial
The jury has so far heard testimony from key witnesses, including the surviving pilot, Sebastian Robinson, and his family members.
Prosecutors allege Wright deliberately sought to conceal poor safety standards in his company.
Wright’s defence team, meanwhile, has portrayed Robinson as a person who regularly broke the rules and used cocaine.
