Outback Wrangler case: Twist as messages from doomed helicopter pilot Sebastian Robinson reveal conversations about cocaine and footy players wanting ‘bags’

There is talk of cocaine and getting football players ‘bags’ in the text messages from the pilot accused in the helicopter crash that killed an Outback Wrangler star.

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

The messages found by Northern Territory police officer Jacob Fowler were sent via various chat forums and were submitted to Darwin Local Court this week as part of the evidentiary order.

The court is hearing evidence against Outback Wrangler Matt Wright, 44, who is facing a series of charges in connection with the fatal crash involving a helicopter operated by his company Helibrook.

Mr Wright is due to appear in court on January 18 for perverting the course of justice and again on June 18 for a further six charges.

In one of the newly surfaced messages obtained by the Daily Telegraph Mr. Robinson is asked by an unknown person if he could get a job in exchange for cocaine.

“Hey sebby, for a chance to book you a day next week from Tuesday to Friday to do some cool sex if you’re not too busy, 12 hours and coke bonus,” the message read.

Another post revealed a similar proposal, with Mr Robinson paying out for a weekend spent with someone else.

“Thanks for the weekend cobba, the fuel cost $1100 so I’ll transfer you another $300 for the coke and another hundred dollars for the fuel,” the message said.

Elsewhere he was asked if “anyone had any bags”, to which he replied that he had cash before reportedly asking for someone else to pick up some cocaine for him.

Mr Robinson is also alleged to have acted as a drugs courier for footballers.

“Foot players in town who want bags, RJ has one,” he wrote.

Mr. Robinson has not been charged with any crime.

Deputy Chief Judge Tanya Fong Lim found there was sufficient evidence to bring Wright to trial on a charge of attempted perverting the course of justice, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

Mr. Wright is also charged with destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false statement and obstructing witnesses in a criminal investigation or proceeding by making threats/retaliation.

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

Michael Burbidge and Neil Mellon have that too charged in connection with the investigation into the crash that killed Wilson on February 28, 2022.

Mr Wilson was dangling 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 as Burbidge and Mellon admitted destroying evidence in the aftermath of the fatal crash. They are not charged in connection with causing the crash itself.

When Wright finally left the courtroom Thursday, he charged through a team of reporters waiting outside, causing reporters and cameramen to trip over purses and backpacks that had been set aside.

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

The outcome of the hearing led to heated scenes outside the court, where A Current Affair reporter Steve Marshall was caught in the middle of the action.

Wright and helicopter pilot Burbidge ignored a barrage of questions from Marshall and other journalists as they stormed through the media storm with their wives.

“Did you get a hold of Matt Wright?” Mr. Marshall asked.

“You fought the law and the law won?”

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

Wright was reportedly later overheard calling reporters in court “damn maggots.” A current issue reported.

Mr Wilson featured prominently in Mr Wright’s Wild Croc Territory TV show.

He was killed when the Robinson R44 helicopter carrying him from a swing line crashed to the ground near the King River in the NT.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) ruled the helicopter was likely not refueled at the fuel depot that caused it engine stops mid-flight.

The ATSB’s report found that Helibrook’s CASA-approved safety management system was not used to identify and manage operational hazards, including those related to human swing operations.

It was also noted that Mr Robinson’s exposure to cocaine in the days before the crash increased the risk 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 and that Mr Wilson had died as a result.

He flew to the scene of the accident by plane former police officer Neil Mellon and prominent Darwin publican and crocodile farmer Mick Burns, where they other members of the egg collecting crew, including Michael Burbidge and Jock Purcell.

Mr Burbidge, who faced four charges, pleaded guilty to destroying evidence and had his other charges dropped. He will be sentenced on February 29.

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