A long-awaited report has finally been released into the helicopter crash in Arnhem Land last year that killed a TV identity. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has identified two contributing factors to the crash that ultimately led to the death of Chris 'Willow' Wilson.
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00:00 A TV star killed in a crash in Arnhem Land at King River on an ill-fated crocodile egg
00:07 collection expedition.
00:09 The Australian Transport Safety Bureau says the chopper went down because it wasn't refuelled.
00:16 Chris Wilson released from a sling attached to the helicopter from a height he could never
00:21 survive.
00:22 This was a tragic event that took the life of the crocodile egg collector, a husband,
00:27 father and work colleague, and resulted in the pilot sustaining serious injuries.
00:34 The ATSB concluded the helicopter was probably not refuelled mid-flight, despite eyewitness
00:40 accounts suggesting otherwise.
00:42 They say it's not a matter of pointing fingers or laying blame, but the Civil Aviation Safety
00:48 Authority's oversight of the company that operated the chopper was insufficient.
00:53 Ultimately, this tragic accident highlights how the actions and decisions of pilots, operators
01:00 and the regulator can all have a significant influence on aviation safety.
01:06 CASA contested some of the findings, but says it's changed its practices since to improve
01:11 safety.
01:12 Among other safety issues raised, the conduct of the operators, Helibrook, who had likely
01:18 overrun the helicopter's maintenance, inspection and overhaul periods.
01:23 Small traces of cocaine were also discovered in pilot Sebastian Robinson's system, but
01:29 the toxicology report concluded he was not under the influence of the drug at the time
01:34 of the crash.
01:35 Neither of these issues caused the helicopter to go down.
01:40 Helibrook's director, Matt Wright, who was a close friend of Mr Wilson's and starred
01:44 in many of the shows he appeared in, today said he was dismayed that cocaine was detected
01:49 in Mr Robinson's system, but didn't speak to the criticism of the chopper's maintenance.
01:55 I heard for everyone involved, Willow's family, our family, our friends, you know, nothing's
02:01 going to bring Willow back.
02:03 This investigation has no bearing on the criminal charges brought against Mr Wright, which include
02:09 allegations of fabricating and destroying evidence relating to the crash.
02:13 He's denied wrongdoing.
02:15 These matters will be heard here at the Northern Territory Local Court later this year.
02:20 [BLANK_AUDIO]