Tragic Incident Involving Australian Crocodile Egg Hunter

An unfortunate incident occurred in February 2022 when an Australian crocodile egg hunter lost his life during a helicopter operation due to fuel depletion, according to accident investigators.

According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's final report, the pilot of the Robinson R44 helicopter had consumed cocaine in the days leading up to the accident. It is suspected that the pilot failed to refuel the helicopter as planned during their outing in the Northern Territory.

The victim of this tragedy was Chris Wilson, a well-known personality from the television series "Outback Wrangler." Wilson was attached to the helicopter via a 100-foot line when the incident occurred.

When the helicopter ran out of fuel and began to descend, the pilot made the decision to release Wilson from a height that was deemed potentially survivable. Unfortunately, Wilson sustained fatal injuries upon impact with the ground. He was discovered still wearing his harness and line, which had been disconnected from the aircraft.

The pilot, who suffered serious injuries, was found lying beside the helicopter.

Investigators determined that the pilot had failed to notice the decreasing fuel levels before the tank ultimately ran dry.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the pilot had consumed cocaine in the days prior to the incident. While it was acknowledged that this substance could have contributed to fatigue, depression, and inattention, there was insufficient evidence to definitively establish whether these effects played a role in the accident.

According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, three individuals, including pilot and Netflix star Matt Wright, have been charged in connection with an incident involving a helicopter crash. The report states that investigators discovered the operator did not utilize its safety management system to identify and address operational hazards. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell commented that the operator had a history of non-compliance with regulatory requirements and maintenance standards. The Northern Territory permits hunters to collect wild crocodile eggs for population management and sale to farms. Mitchell emphasized that this tragic accident demonstrates the impact of pilots, operators, and regulators on aviation safety.