Outback Wrangler case: Twist as messages from doomed chopper’s pilot Sebastian Robinson reveal talk of cocaine and footy players wanting ‘bags’

Talk of cocaine and obtaining football players’ “bags” can be found in the text messages of the pilot charged in the helicopter crash that killed the Outback Wrangler star.

Investigators searched helicopter pilot Sebastian Robinson’s phone and found messages sent between 2018 and 2021 referencing cocaine before the fatal flight in 2022 that killed Chris Wilson and seriously injured Mr Robinson.

The messages, found by Northern Territory police officer Jacob Fowler, were circulated across several chat forums and presented as part of prosecution evidence in Darwin Local Court this week.

A court is reviewing evidence against Matt Wright, 44, of Outback Wrangler, who faces a number of charges in the fatal crash involving a helicopter operated by his company, Helibrook.

Mr. Wright is scheduled to appear in court on January 18 on one count of obstruction of justice and on June 18 on six other counts.

In one recent message, an unknown person asks Mr. Robinson if he can get a job in exchange for cocaine.

“Hey Sebby, I have a chance to take you out for a day Tuesday through Friday to do something cool if you’re not too busy, 12 hours and bonus cocaine,” the message said.

Another message made a similar offer as Mr Robinson was considering paying for a weekend he spent with another man.

“Thanks for the weekend, fuel is $1,100, so I’ll give you another $300 for the coke and another hundred to chip in for fuel,” the message said.

At another point he was asked if “anyone had any bags” to which he replied that he had cash before allegedly asking someone else to bring him some cocaine.

Mr Robinson also allegedly acted as a drug courier for footballers.

“There are crazy players in town and they need bags, RJ has them,” he wrote.

Mr. Robinson has not been charged.

Deputy Chief Justice Tanya Fong Lim concluded there was enough evidence to put Mr Wright on trial on a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment.

Mr. Wright also faces charges of destruction of evidence, fabrication of evidence, unlawful entry into a building, unlawful entry into a dwelling, making false statements and interfering with a witness in a criminal investigation or trial by threat/retaliation.

He told the media Thursday that he is “hopeful” the charges he faces in June will be dropped once the first “charge has been adjudicated.”

Michael Burbidge and Neil Mellon also he faces charges in connection with the investigation into the plane crash that killed Wilson on February 28, 2022.

Mr Wilson was hanging from a helicopter to collect crocodile eggs when the helicopter crashed, killing him and seriously injuring Mr Robinson.

Mr Wright was due to stand trial early next year after Burbidge and Mellon admitted destroying evidence after the fatal crash. They have not been charged with causing the accident itself.

When Mr. Wright finally left the courtroom on Thursday, he pushed through a group of reporters waiting outside, causing reporters and cameramen to stumble over bags and backpacks that had been set aside.

Wright didn’t say a word and jumped into a van waiting on the side of the road.

The outcome of the hearing sparked violent scenes outside the court, where Current Affairs reporter Steve Marshall found himself in the thick of it.

Wright and helicopter pilot Burbidge ignored a barrage of questions from Marshall and other reporters as they made their way through the media crowd with their wives.

-Have you attacked Matt Wright yet? asked Mr. Marshall.

—You fought the law, and the law won?

Another reporter asked, “You were supposed to follow the law, why did you break it?”

Wright was later reportedly heard calling the journalists “fucking maggots” in the courtroom. Current case reported.

Mr Wilson featured prominently on Mr Wright’s Wild. TV show “Crocodile Territory”.

He was killed when the Robinson R44 helicopter carrying him crashed to the ground near the King River in North Carolina.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) determined that the helicopter was likely was not refueled at the fuel and lubricants warehouse, which led to its the engine stops mid-flight.

The ATSB report found that Helybrook’s CASA-approved safety management system was not used to identify and manage operational hazards, including those associated with life changing operations.

It was also noted that Mr Robinson’s exposure to cocaine in the days before the crash increased the likelihood of fatigue, depression and inattention, but there was insufficient evidence to determine whether these effects occurred.

On the day of the crash, Mr. Wright was notified that one of his helicopters had crashed, killing Mr. Wilson.

He flew to the crash site with former police officer Neil Mellon and famous Darwin publican and crocodile farmer Mick Burns, where they found other members of the egg collection team including Michael Burbidge and Jock Purcell.

Mr Burbidge, who faces four charges, pleaded guilty to destroying evidence and the remaining charges were dropped. He will be sentenced on February 29.

Mr. Mellon also pleaded guilty to destroying evidence and will be sentenced on March 1.