Helicopter crash that killed Outback Wrangler star likely caused by pilots failure to refuel, inv

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Northern Territory This article is more than 2 months old

Helicopter crash that killed Outback Wrangler star likely caused by pilot’s failure to refuel, investigation finds

This article is more than 2 months old

Report by Australian Transport Safety Bureau report also found the height from which 34-year-old Chris Wilson fell was ‘likely not survivable’

The pilot of a helicopter that crashed, killing a crocodile catcher from the hit TV show Outback Wrangler, likely did not refuel the aircraft, causing the engine to stop mid-air, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

The ATSB released its report on Wednesday, almost 21 months after Chris Wilson plunged to his death in a remote area of the Northern Territory.

The 34-year-old died while on a crocodile egg hunting mission in west Arnhem Land when a Robinson R44 helicopter crashed while he was hanging from it by a 30-metre line using a harness.

The ATSB investigation found the chopper’s engine stopped mid-flight and during the emergency landing pilot Sebastian Robinson released the hooks and sling line.

The height of the release, which was above nine metres, was “likely not survivable” for Wilson, ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell found.

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“Based on analysis of fuel samples and other evidence, the ATSB investigation found that the helicopter was likely not refuelled at a fuel depot about three-quarters of the way between Darwin and the crocodile egg hunting area,” Mitchell said.

“The pilot did not identify the reducing fuel state before the helicopter’s engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion.”

The bureau also found the pilot’s “exposure to cocaine” in the previous days increased the likelihood of fatigue and inattention, but there was insufficient evidence to determine if he was affected at the time.

The chopper was owned and operated by Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright’s company Helibrook, which the bureau found had made a number of errors.

The report said the operator was not using a proper safety management system to “systematically identify and manage operational hazards”.

The investigation also found the aviation regulator had banned the use of slings at any height, but had granted Helibrook an exemption to conduct crocodile collecting.

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By 2017, all safety conditions limiting height, speed and exposure were removed by the regulator, meaning Wilson could be attached to the helicopter up to 100 feet.

Months after the accident, the ATSB referred the case to the Australian Federal Police, recommending police probe the issue in regards to evidence available in the investigation.

Wright, 44 and his pilot Michael Burbidge were allegedly first on the scene, accompanied by former senior police officer Neil Mellon.

Outback Wrangler was an adventure TV series filmed in remote Top End locations that aired in more than 90 countries.

The show chronicled the capture and transport of dangerous animals that posed a threat to people, including crocodiles and wild buffalo.

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