Probe reveals cause of helicopter crash in death of celeb crocodile egg hunter Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson
The pilot of the helicopter that crashed in Australia last year, killing a crocodile egg hunter from the hit reality TV show “Outback Wrangler,” likely did not refuel the aircraft — after using cocaine in the days leading to the fateful flight, investigators have found.
Chris “Willow” Wilson was dangling from a 100-foot line, looking for crocodile eggs to scoop up in a remote part of the Northern Territory on Feb 28, 2022, when the Robinson R44 helicopter carrying him ran out of fuel mid-flight, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said in its accident report released Wednesday.
As the aircraft fell out of the sky, the pilot, Sebastian Robinson, released the hooks and line that were keeping Wilson suspended in the air, causing him to plummet to his death.
The height of the release, which was around 30 feet, was “likely not survivable,” ATSB concluded.
“Based on analysis of fuel samples and other evidence, the ATSB investigation found that the helicopter was likely not refueled at a fuel depot about three-quarters of the way between Darwin and the crocodile egg hunting area,” Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell wrote.
He blamed Robinson for failing to notice that the fuel level had been dropping before the helicopter’s engine stalled.
The 21-month probe also found that the pilot’s “exposure to cocaine” in the days before the crash “increased the likelihood of fatigue, depression and inattention, however, there was insufficient evidence to determine whether these effects occurred.”
Robinson survived the crash but suffered serious injuries to his spine.
The agency’s report also listed errors allegedly made by the company Helibrook owned by another “Outback Wrangler” star, Matt Wright, which operated the doomed helicopter.
ATSB said the operator was not using a proper safety management system to “systematically identify and manage operational hazards.”
Three people have been charged in connection with the accident, including Wright, 44, who was hit last year with counts of perverting the course of justice, destruction of evidence, fabricating evidence, interfering with witnesses and unlawful entry.
Wright has denied any wrongdoing and described what happened as a “tragic accident.”
“Outback Wrangler,” which premiered in 2011 and aired in more than 90 countries, followed the capture and relocation of dangerous critters, including crocodiles, as part of animal population management.
