A 44-year-old man is in police custody and assisting detectives with their inquires over the helicopter crash earlier this year that killed Chris Wilson, co-star of National Geographic’s Outback Wrangler. Source: Awards Australia.
A 44-year-old man has been arrested as part of an investigation into the helicopter crash that killed Outback Wrangler co-star, Chris Wilson.
Northern Territory Police said the man is in custody and assisting detectives with their inquiries.
The crash that killed Chris “Willow” Wilson, co-star of National Geographic’s Outback Wrangler show, happened on February 28 in Northern Territory’s remote West Arnhem land, around 500km east of Darwin.
He was with a group embarking to go crocodile egg hunting before the helicopter crashed, killing Wilson and causing serious injuries to the pilot, 28-year-old Sebastian Robinson.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released a preliminary report in April that found no defects that were likely to result in engine failure at the time of the crash.
The crash was found to have occurred shortly after taking off from a landing zone and hit the ground upright after the main rotor blade struck and cut through a tree trunk, according to investigations.
“Preliminary analysis of the site by ATSB investigators indicated the accident sequence had occurred while the helicopter was travelling in a north-west direction, shortly after it left the staging area,” said ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod.
“Initial assessment indicated the engine had stopped prior to the helicopter colliding with the ground”.
According to the report, Chris Wilson was attached to a sling and was found about 40 metres from the helicopter wreckage that was discovered about 90 minutes after the crash happened.
Wilson was attached to the 30-metre rope using a harness so he could harvest eggs from crocodile nests that were difficult to access in swampy areas, as the helicopter hovers above.
After the crash, prohibition notices were put in place for helicopter companies after NT WorkSafe inspectors found collecting eggs by slings posed a serious health and safety risk.
