A pilot left paralysed after a helicopter crash that killed reality TV star Chris 'Willow' Wilson has denied being a drug dealer, but admitted he sourced small amounts of cocaine for friends before the accident. Sebastian Robinson gave evidence by video link from his wheelchair at the Supreme Court in Darwin, where celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright is on trial for allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice after the February 2022 crash.
Prosecutors allege Wright, who has pleaded not guilty, was concerned crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were regularly disconnected to extend flying hours beyond official limits and that paperwork was falsified. During cross-examination, Robinson said he was aware that cocaine or its metabolites were found in his blood after the crash, but he had no recollection of the weeks prior to the incident.
Senior defence counsel David Edwardson read out text messages from Robinson's phone between November 2018 and August 2021, showing friends asking if he was 'getting more coke' or could 'get good stuff for Chrissy party'. One message mentioned 'footie players in town and want bags'. Robinson declined to admit he was supplying cocaine, saying he could not recall that message, but admitted he had sourced 'very minimal' amounts for other people, who paid him.
Robinson, who said he used cocaine about twice a year, denied ever flying a helicopter while under the influence. He also rejected claims that the crash was caused by running out of fuel, insisting the aircraft was full. The court heard that Robinson allowed Wilson, a trainee pilot, to fly with him on a helicopter fitted with dual controls, despite that being illegal and against Wright's orders. Wilson flew the chopper on the day of the crash before Robinson removed the dual controls and took over for egg-collecting.
A selfie taken by Wilson showed him flying with Robinson apparently asleep in the passenger seat. Edwardson suggested that if Robinson had 'had a bender', he would have been happy for Wilson to pilot while he slept. Robinson denied this. The trial continues.
