A paraplegic survivor from a helicopter crash has claimed that the last image of Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson indicated they had sufficient fuel for a safe return. Sebastian Robinson, who was the sole survivor of the incident, provided his testimony in a trial concerning allegations against reality television star Matt Wright. The trial centers on claims that Wright attempted to conceal discrepancies in flight records related to the helicopter crash that occurred on February 28, 2022, during a crocodile egg collecting expedition.
During the proceedings, Robinson recounted that his final memory from the day of the crash was sharing a laugh with Wilson in the cockpit. The jury viewed a photograph of Wilson piloting the Robinson R-44, which appeared to show the fuel gauge reading between three-quarters and completely full. Robinson stated that at this fuel level, the helicopter should have been capable of making the round trip from Noonamah to King River and back. Tragically, the Robinson R-44 never returned, instead crashing into a crocodile-infested swamp in remote Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Wilson died instantly in the crash, while Robinson, aged 28 at the time, suffered critical injuries.
The ongoing trial does not assert that Wright was responsible for the crash itself. Instead, it focuses on his alleged attempts to alter records after the incident. As Robinson emotionally recounted his experience, he described waking up in a hospital bed in Brisbane to learn that his friend had died and that he would likely never walk again. The jury heard the extent of Robinson’s injuries, which included a severed spinal cord, 12 broken ribs, and multiple fractures.
Robinson admitted that he struggled with his memory due to a traumatic brain injury sustained during the crash. He also revealed that he initially misled investigators about the Hobbs meter, a device used to track flight hours, stating, “It was pure panic. I was scared … of the potential repercussions.” Over the past five days of testimony, it has been established that trace levels of cocaine were found in Robinson’s system after the crash. Fellow pilot Jock Purcell characterized Robinson as a “party animal,” acknowledging that the entire crew enjoyed socializing.
In court, Robinson disclosed that he used cocaine occasionally, asserting that it was not a frequent habit. He denied ever flying under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Wright’s senior counsel, David Edwardson, emphasized that the reality television star maintains a strict “zero tolerance” policy regarding drug use.
As the trial progressed, Robinson acknowledged his own record-keeping issues, which he said were widespread in the helicopter industry in the Northern Territory. He claimed that during his nearly ten years in the field, he had encountered similar practices at other companies. He admitted to breaking rules while working for Wright’s company, Helibrook, and alleged that Wright was aware of the common practice of disconnecting the Hobbs meter to bypass maintenance requirements.
Robinson described Wright as a dominant figure in the workplace, stating that he controlled all aspects of aircraft maintenance scheduling. “Everyone looked at Matt as an idol,” Robinson said. “He’d say ‘jump’ and they’d say ‘how high?’”
As the trial continues, Robinson is expected to provide further testimony, shedding more light on the events surrounding the crash and the subsequent allegations against Matt Wright.
