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Former reality star sentenced to prison for obstructing crash probe
Matt Wright, known for his role in Outback Wrangler, will serve five months behind bars after being convicted of tampering with evidence linked to a 2022 helicopter accident that killed his co-star and left the pilot paralysed.
Court delivers suspended sentence and fine
On Friday, Northern Territory Supreme Court Acting Justice Alan Blow imposed a 10-month prison term, with Wright required to serve only half before the remainder is suspended. He was also ordered to pay a A$5,000 ($3,300) fine.
Justice Blow noted Wright had shown no remorse but deemed him unlikely to reoffend, citing his community contributions and a series of glowing character references described as the most impressive the judge had ever encountered.
Crash details and charges
The case revolved around a February 2022 helicopter crash in Arnhem Land, approximately 500 km east of Darwin. Wright's co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, who was suspended in a sling beneath the aircraft during a crocodile egg-harvesting expedition, died after falling 25 metres. Pilot Sebastian Robinson sustained life-altering injuries, including punctured lungs and severe brain trauma.
Though Wright was not aboard the helicopter, he arrived at the scene shortly after the accident. Prosecutors argued he later misled investigators about the fuel levels in the aircraft and pressured Robinson-who was told he might never walk again-to alter flight records to conceal discrepancies in the helicopter's logged hours.
Evidence and trial revelations
The prosecution presented secret recordings of Wright's conversations, which contradicted his claims to police that the fuel tank was half full. They also alleged Wright visited Robinson in hospital multiple times to urge him to transfer flight hours from the crashed helicopter to another aircraft, fearing investigators would uncover his practice of underreporting hours to avoid costly maintenance.
A jury unanimously convicted Wright on two charges: lying to police and attempting to pervert the course of justice. However, they could not reach a verdict on a third charge accusing Wright of asking a friend to destroy the helicopter's maintenance records by setting them on fire. That charge remains under judicial review.
Industry practices under scrutiny
The trial exposed widespread practices within the Northern Territory's helicopter industry, including the routine manipulation of flight hour meters-a tactic known as "popping the clock"-to delay mandatory maintenance. Prosecutors argued this culture of falsification was so entrenched that Wright feared being scapegoated for the crash.
Wright's defence acknowledged the practice was common but maintained he did not obstruct justice by attempting to cover up the altered records.
Witness testimony and contradictions
Robinson testified that Wright's employees viewed him as an idol, with one describing how staff would "jump" at his commands. Another witness, a fellow pilot, labelled Robinson a "party animal," though Robinson denied being a "raging cocaine junkie" during cross-examination. A blood sample taken after the crash revealed traces of cocaine, but the levels were below those subject to aviation enforcement.
Robinson also admitted he likely released Wilson's sling intentionally during the emergency, a standard procedure to prevent further danger.
Prosecution pushes for harsher penalty
Prosecutor Jason Gullaci argued Wright's actions warranted an immediate prison term, describing his hospital visits to Robinson as a calculated effort to obstruct justice. "This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision," Gullaci said. "It was considered, planned, and executed to achieve a specific outcome."
Wright's lawyer, David Edwardson, urged the court to disregard his client's celebrity status, framing his misstatements about fuel levels as an attempt to "protect a friend."
Appeal and next steps
Wright's legal team has previously indicated plans to appeal the guilty verdicts. The case does not address the cause of the crash or the circumstances leading to Wilson's death and Robinson's injuries.
