CASA takes action against NT pilots following a years-long probe into fatal Outback Wrangler chopper crash

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has quietly launched enforcement action against at least six pilots following the Northern Territory chopper crash that killed Netflix star Chris Wilson.

Almost two and a half years after the fatal crash, CASA is understood to have recently issued at least one counselling notice, at least one aviation infringement notice and multiple ‘show cause’ notices to vary, suspend or cancel a pilot’s licence or Air Operator’s Certificate.

Wilson — who starred on reality television shows including Outback Wrangler and Wild Croc Territory — was killed in February 2022 when the helicopter he was slinging beneath crashed in a remote part of West Arnhem Land during a crocodile egg collecting mission. Pilot Sebastian Robinson was critically injured and is now paraplegic.

The destroyed Robinson R44 Raven II registered VH-IDW, was owned and operated by celebrity croc-wrangler Matt Wright’s company Helibrook Pty Ltd.

Last year — after charging three men with offences related to the fabrication and destruction of evidence — NT Police revealed that it had shared a comprehensive investigation file into the fatal crash with CASA, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, NT WorkSafe and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The file included maintenance and fuel records, expert opinions concerning the fuel system and airworthiness of the stricken aircraft, and toxicology analyses of individuals involved in the crash.

In November, the ATSB published its 113-page final report into the accident, finding that the helicopter likely collided with terrain on the morning of February 28, 2022, because the pilot probably forgot to refuel it.

In February, the Territory’s workplace safety watchdog charged Wright and Helibrook with breaches of work health and safety laws over their alleged failures to “maintain safe aircraft” and for “allowing the aircraft to be operated when unsafe”.

“While the exact cause of the helicopter crash has not been determined by any regulatory agency, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case to lay charges in relation to the crash at this point in time, NT WorkSafe’s investigation has found sufficient evidence to allege Helibrook Pty Ltd and Mr Wright engaged in conduct intended to falsify the actual number of flight hours accrued by the aircraft in the Helibrook fleet over an extended period of time,” a spokesperson said.

NT WorkSafe charged both Wright and Helibrook, which voluntarily ceased operating after the fatal crash, with two counts of reckless conduct.

CASA has also been investigating a number of matters — stemming from the fatal crash — since early 2022 but has repeatedly declined to reveal what, if any, enforcement action it has taken as a result of its findings.

“We do not comment on individual enforcement activities due to privacy,” a CASA spokesperson said on Monday.

In April, CASA said it could not comment on any enforcement action taken since the crash “given ongoing legal proceedings”.

However, The Nightly understands enforcement action is now underway.

This includes the issuing of ‘show cause notices’, which informs the holder of a civil aviation authorisation why CASA believes it has reason to vary, suspend or cancel their authorisation and invites the recipient to argue in response why it should not do so.

CASA has also issued aviation infringement notices, which can involve a fine of up to $1565, and counselling notices, which are designed to “encourage” a pilot to comply with legislative requirements.

Individuals and authorisation holders can appeal CASA’s enforcement decisions in an external forum such as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal or the Federal Court.

In a statement on its website, CASA said it has “zero tolerance for serious, wilful or repeated disregard of the aviation rules”.

“Serious breaches of the Civil Aviation Act and the Regulations may involve the commission of a criminal offence,” it said.

“In those cases, we may prepare a brief to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to decide whether to commence a criminal prosecution.

“We usually refer cases to the CDPP in cases involving breaches that are deliberate, show a reckless disregard for the rules, show a pattern of disregard for the rules or cause a significant risk to safety including by putting other people in danger.”

CASA refused to confirm whether it has referred any matters related to the fatal NT crash for criminal prosecution.

CASA has not published any enforcement decisions on its website since November 2021.

This week a CASA spokesperson said the agency plans to resume publication of enforcement action information on its website “early in the first quarter of fiscal 2025”.