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 didn’t refuel the plane – after using cocaine in the days leading up to the fateful flight, it seems Investigators have found out.
Chris “Willow” Wilson was dangling from a 100-foot line in a remote part of the Northern Territory on February 28, 2022, looking for crocodile eggs to collect when the Robinson R44 helicopter carrying him ran out of fuel mid-flight ran out of. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) announced this in its accident report published on Wednesday.
As the plane fell from the sky, pilot Sebastian Robinson released the hook and line holding Wilson in the air, causing him to plummet to his death.
The height of the release, which was about 30 feet, was “likely not survivable,” ATSB concluded.
ATSB said the operator did not use an appropriate safety management system to “systematically identify and manage operational hazards”. Careflight/AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORT SAFETY BUREAU
“Based on analysis of fuel samples and other evidence, the ATSB investigation concluded that the helicopter was unlikely to have been refueled at a fuel depot approximately three-quarters of the way between Darwin and the crocodile egg hunting area,” Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell wrote.
He blamed Robinson for not realizing that the fuel level had dropped before the helicopter’s engine stalled.
The 21-month investigation 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.”
Chris “Willow” Wilson was dangling from a 100-foot line, searching for crocodile eggs when he died.Matt Wright/Instagram
Robinson survived the accident but suffered serious spinal injuries.
The agency’s report also listed alleged failures by the company Helibrook, which was owned by another “Outback Wrangler” star, Matt Wright, and operated the doomed helicopter.
ATSB said the operator did not use an appropriate safety management system to “systematically identify and manage operational hazards”.
Wilson fell to his death in a grisly scene.Matt Wright/Instagram Chris “Willow” Wilson fell about 30 feet before his death.Matt Wright/Instagram
Three people have been charged in connection with the accident, including 44-year-old Wright, who was charged last year with perverting the course of justice, destroying evidence, tampering with evidence, interfering with testimony and trespassing.
Wright has denied any wrongdoing and called the incident a “tragic accident.”
“Outback Wrangler,” which premiered in 2011 and aired in more than 90 countries, followed the capture and relocation of dangerous creatures, including crocodiles, as part of animal population management.