The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its final report into a helicopter crash in the Northern Territory that killed Netflix star Chris 'Willow' Wilson and seriously injured the pilot. The crash occurred on February 28 last year during a crocodile egg-collecting mission in West Arnhem Land.
The ATSB found that the Robinson R44 helicopter likely crashed due to fuel exhaustion, causing the engine to stop mid-flight. Investigators concluded that the helicopter had probably not been refuelled at a fuel depot between Darwin and the collection area, and the pilot had not identified the reducing fuel state.
During the emergency forced landing, pilot Sebastian Robinson released the hook holding Mr Wilson's sling above a survivable height. The report also found evidence of cocaine exposure in the pilot's blood, but determined it was not a contributing factor to the crash.
The ATSB criticized helicopter operator Helibrook, owned by Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright, for not using its safety management system to identify operational hazards. The report stated that Helibrook likely overran maintenance periods, though this did not contribute to the crash.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) was also faulted for lacking an effective process in authorizing sling operations for crocodile egg collection. Three men, including Matt Wright, face charges over the crash, including attempting to pervert the course of justice.
