- Dec 27, 2016
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Crocodiles are a protected species
LAW PROTECTING CROCODILES
LAW PROTECTING CROCODILES
Current Three Arrests in Outbank Wrangler death - NT * Matt Wright charged
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2 in total. One was the pilot and Chris Wilson who was killed. Unfortunately when news reports these accidents they don't initially have all the facts and yes there were 2 people but only the Pilot was onboard the R44 and Wilson in a sling.
- Dec 27, 2016
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This article explains a bit better. Burbidge was piloting the other chopper on the egg collecting day and found Robinson and Wilson's downed chopper. So he wasn't on Wright's chopper flight.
www.dailymail.co.uk
The full untold story of the Outback Wrangler's helicopter crash
A fearless expedition to collect crocodile eggs from a remote swamp ended in tragedy. What allegedly happened before and after led to Outback Wrangler Matt Wright facing charges over the death of his mate.
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Wright left the NT to relocate to the Gold Coast very shortly after Mellon was arrested and charged. 
Timeline from Daily Mail so we can't guarantee it's totally accurate but it might help in placing who was where and where they fit in.
7:03am Pilot Seb Robinson and egg collector Chris 'Willow' Wilson are on one of three Robinson R44 helicopters which set off from Noonamah on a crocodile egg collection operation on West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, about 500km from Darwin. Each chopper has one pilot and one egg collector. They fly for 90 minutes to a drum refuelling site in the bush near Mount Borradaile.
8.30am Choppers fly from drum refuelling area to the King River staging area, 20 minutes away. Mr Wilson allegedly shares a picture of the fuel gauge showing it was almost full to their shared WhatsApp group.
Around 9am Choppers split up to go to their various egg collection areas. Two head 12km north-east and collected eggs from nine nests between 0911 and 1014.
10.14am The other two crews realise they've not heard from Robinson and Wilson and chief helicopter pilot - and director of Remote Helicopters Australia - Michael Burbridge, 44, goes to look for them.
10.36am It finds the wreckage of their helicopter, 30km south of South Goulburn Island. Mr Wilson, 34, is dead 40m from the wreckage and Mr Robinson, 28, is seriously hurt with spinal injuries on the ground next to the aircraft. Their chopper has collided with trees and terrain. The second chopper briefly takes off again to make radio contact and raise the alarm.
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright allegedly flies to the crash scene with off-duty police sergeant Neil Mellon and Darwin publican and crocodile farmer Mick Burns. Mr Burns has not been charged with any offences.
12.30pm A CareFlight helicopter arrives at the scene and airlifts the pilot to Maningrida, where he was transferred by plane to Darwin.
APRIL 19, 2022: The Air Transport Safety Bureau release their initial findings into the crash, with the full report expected in the first quarter of 2023. It finds the helicopter's engine stopped prior to impacting the ground. Just 250ml of fuel was in the fuel bladders which were both intact, but the report notes fuel may have drained into a nearby creek as the fuel system was damaged in the crash. There were no other obvious signs of mechanical failure and no fire at the scene.
AUGUST 25, 2022: Father of three Neil Mellon, 47, is arrested shortly after he arrives for work at Darwin police station. Police raid his home and allegedly find illegal wildlife, fireworks and firearms.
AUGUST 26, 2022: Mellon is charged with 31 offences, including attempting to pervert the course of justice and stealing and unlawfully accessing data. His charges also relate to weapons, firearms and wildlife offences, as well as alleged destruction of evidence in relation to a major crash investigation.
Later the same day, his wife Sandi, also a serving NT police officer, posts accusations on Facebook, unrelated to the crash, about a former close female friend which were later deleted.
Mellon is understood to have since resigned from the police after 27 years' service.
SEPTEMBER, 2022: Outback Wrangler and father of four Matt Wright, 43, relocates with his pregnant wife Kaia from Darwin to the Gold Coast in Queensland.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2022: Helicopter pilot Michael Burbridge - who was first on the scene of the tragedy - is charged in connection with the crash. He is accused of destroying evidence, conspiracy and attempting to pervert the course of justice, and providing a false statement.
NOVEMBER 28, 2022: NT Police issue an arrest warrant for Wright and he's told to present himself at Darwin police station within 48 hours to face at least six serious charges concerning the crash. They relate to his actions before and after the crash and allege he tampered with evidence.
NOVEMBER 29, 2022: Wright checks in for an 8.15am flight from Sydney to Darwin with his wife and their newborn daughter Dusty. He is charged in the afternoon with a string of offences in relation to the chopper crash.
NOVEMBER 30, 2022: Wright appears at Darwin Court on seven charges relating to the crash which he strenuously denies and is granted bail until the next court appearance on January 25, 2023.
Wright is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process by making threats/reprisals.
www.dailymail.co.uk
Timeline from Daily Mail so we can't guarantee it's totally accurate but it might help in placing who was where and where they fit in.
OUTBACK WRANGLER TIMELINE
FEBRUARY 28, 20227:03am Pilot Seb Robinson and egg collector Chris 'Willow' Wilson are on one of three Robinson R44 helicopters which set off from Noonamah on a crocodile egg collection operation on West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, about 500km from Darwin. Each chopper has one pilot and one egg collector. They fly for 90 minutes to a drum refuelling site in the bush near Mount Borradaile.
8.30am Choppers fly from drum refuelling area to the King River staging area, 20 minutes away. Mr Wilson allegedly shares a picture of the fuel gauge showing it was almost full to their shared WhatsApp group.
Around 9am Choppers split up to go to their various egg collection areas. Two head 12km north-east and collected eggs from nine nests between 0911 and 1014.
10.14am The other two crews realise they've not heard from Robinson and Wilson and chief helicopter pilot - and director of Remote Helicopters Australia - Michael Burbridge, 44, goes to look for them.
10.36am It finds the wreckage of their helicopter, 30km south of South Goulburn Island. Mr Wilson, 34, is dead 40m from the wreckage and Mr Robinson, 28, is seriously hurt with spinal injuries on the ground next to the aircraft. Their chopper has collided with trees and terrain. The second chopper briefly takes off again to make radio contact and raise the alarm.
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright allegedly flies to the crash scene with off-duty police sergeant Neil Mellon and Darwin publican and crocodile farmer Mick Burns. Mr Burns has not been charged with any offences.
12.30pm A CareFlight helicopter arrives at the scene and airlifts the pilot to Maningrida, where he was transferred by plane to Darwin.
APRIL 19, 2022: The Air Transport Safety Bureau release their initial findings into the crash, with the full report expected in the first quarter of 2023. It finds the helicopter's engine stopped prior to impacting the ground. Just 250ml of fuel was in the fuel bladders which were both intact, but the report notes fuel may have drained into a nearby creek as the fuel system was damaged in the crash. There were no other obvious signs of mechanical failure and no fire at the scene.
AUGUST 25, 2022: Father of three Neil Mellon, 47, is arrested shortly after he arrives for work at Darwin police station. Police raid his home and allegedly find illegal wildlife, fireworks and firearms.
AUGUST 26, 2022: Mellon is charged with 31 offences, including attempting to pervert the course of justice and stealing and unlawfully accessing data. His charges also relate to weapons, firearms and wildlife offences, as well as alleged destruction of evidence in relation to a major crash investigation.
Later the same day, his wife Sandi, also a serving NT police officer, posts accusations on Facebook, unrelated to the crash, about a former close female friend which were later deleted.
Mellon is understood to have since resigned from the police after 27 years' service.
SEPTEMBER, 2022: Outback Wrangler and father of four Matt Wright, 43, relocates with his pregnant wife Kaia from Darwin to the Gold Coast in Queensland.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2022: Helicopter pilot Michael Burbridge - who was first on the scene of the tragedy - is charged in connection with the crash. He is accused of destroying evidence, conspiracy and attempting to pervert the course of justice, and providing a false statement.
NOVEMBER 28, 2022: NT Police issue an arrest warrant for Wright and he's told to present himself at Darwin police station within 48 hours to face at least six serious charges concerning the crash. They relate to his actions before and after the crash and allege he tampered with evidence.
NOVEMBER 29, 2022: Wright checks in for an 8.15am flight from Sydney to Darwin with his wife and their newborn daughter Dusty. He is charged in the afternoon with a string of offences in relation to the chopper crash.
NOVEMBER 30, 2022: Wright appears at Darwin Court on seven charges relating to the crash which he strenuously denies and is granted bail until the next court appearance on January 25, 2023.
Wright is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process by making threats/reprisals.
The full untold story of the Outback Wrangler's helicopter crash
A fearless expedition to collect crocodile eggs from a remote swamp ended in tragedy. What allegedly happened before and after led to Outback Wrangler Matt Wright facing charges over the death of his mate.
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Community 'reeling' as safety bureau launches probe into deadly chopper crash
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau arrives in Broome to examine the cause of a helicopter crash that killed a young girl and a well-known local pilot.
www.abc.net.au
Was blessed to do a few days tour with Troy Thomas in the Kimberlies about 10 years ago. Absolutely lovely bloke, definitely a bit of wild west adventure type, but very humble & very likeable.
Mates, or at least associated with Matt Wright. You would hope Mr Wright would service his choppers to standard after that incident, (see above)
Don't think the report regarding Broome crash was very favourable to Troy. RIP
%100 cowboy frontier stuff, adventures, maybe an air of inivisibilty.
Edit; links above 2 separate articles.
Last edited:
- May 21, 2010
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Interesting that most of these chopper crashes are R44's. Having said that they are affordable Helicopters and perhaps this is just due to the fact there are so many of them flying? In Wright's case it has been alleged he instructed to disconnect the hour meters in his choppers at times. There is only one motive for that and that is a reduction in servicing costs or an increase in flying time. (So possibly 2 motives). I have read 2 x contradicting stories with regards to Wright's choppers. One said the chopper that crashed had been cleared by independent aviation authorities to fly only weeks before the accident. The other said Wright was warned that his fleet of R44's were an accident waiting to happen. I guess this will come out once the court case starts and there will be plenty of evidence from experts around the maintenance of these R44's.
Community 'reeling' as safety bureau launches probe into deadly chopper crash
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau arrives in Broome to examine the cause of a helicopter crash that killed a young girl and a well-known local pilot.
Was blessed to do a few days tour with Troy Thomas in the Kimberlies about 10 years ago. Absolutely lovely bloke, definitely a bit of wild west adventure type, but very humble & very likeable.
Mates, or at least associated with Matt Wright. You would hope Mr Wright would service his choppers to standard after that incident, (see above)
Don't think the report regarding Broome crash was very favourable to Troy. RIP
%100 cowboy frontier stuff, adventures, maybe an air of inivisibilty.
Edit; links above 2 separate articles.
Percel
Percel doesn't like microwave meals
the cost per egg is extraordinary now, and the money made by communities in outsourcing the egg collection is extremely high. I did a lot of collecting similar areas to Wright, Ramingining, Maningrida etc.... its goldmine out there
- Dec 27, 2016
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- #59
Welcome!
You collected croc eggs? These guys make out like they were the only ones doing it.
Percel
Percel doesn't like microwave meals
We used to do it with a boat oar or similar, firearms were only carried (if we did at all) as a last resort. the last think you'd do is harm a female, too valuable long termAlso, how do they control the female croc when they're stealing her eggs while suspended from a chopper? Shooting her first?
Percel
Percel doesn't like microwave meals
Yeah, it was crazy, standing up in water up to your chest tying to extract eggs. We had permits, but would pay $800-$1000 pr egg back to the community. this whole sag is quite smelly
- Dec 27, 2016
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The charges related to all this has been real messy and hard to work out exactly what happened, especially with the police involvement and all the charges he's got including manufacturing weapons.
Have you ever known anybody to use explosives?
- Dec 27, 2016
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- #63
Erm ... yeah that sounds real dangerous.
Percel
Percel doesn't like microwave meals
Not anywhere near crocs, and even for Barra and other fish species, I just don't get it, you do more damage to the species(potentially unsellable) and destroy the area long term. Better of using a net
My thoughts on the explosive are they were carrying powerheads to potentially ward of a croc, similar ones that spearfishos carry
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- #65
I don't think it's illegal to make powerheads
Percel
Percel doesn't like microwave meals
It is if you powering up the calibre, or not carrying required permits, but it's just a guess on why?
- Dec 27, 2016
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- #67
Mellon was caught with illegal fireworks, that together with the manufacturing of weapons I figured it may have something to do with incendiary devices.
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- #68
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So much drama
www.dailymail.co.uk
Wife of police officer arrested in fatal chopper crash is charged
The wife of a cop accused of interfering with the scene of a helicopter crash that killed an Aussie TV star - who is also a serving police officer - has been charged for making threats to kill.
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- #71
So much drama
Wife of police officer arrested in fatal chopper crash is charged
The wife of a cop accused of interfering with the scene of a helicopter crash that killed an Aussie TV star - who is also a serving police officer - has been charged for making threats to kill.
Sandi Mellon was the one who jumped out over facebook very aggressively essentially calling someone a giveup. The message I took from that post was that she was angry that someone she considered a friend might have cooperated with the investigation.
It was not a good look.
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- #72
So much drama
Wife of police officer arrested in fatal chopper crash is charged
The wife of a cop accused of interfering with the scene of a helicopter crash that killed an Aussie TV star - who is also a serving police officer - has been charged for making threats to kill.
Looks like she's made things a whole lot worse.
In a statement on Monday, NT Police said a 46-year-old woman has been charged with unlawful entry, trespass, assault and make a threat to kill.
- Thread starter
- #74
Found it.
www.dailymail.co.uk
- Neil Mellon arrested on August 25 accused of tampering with crash investigation
- His house was raided and wife learned he had a two-year affair - on the same day
- Affair was with his wife Sandi Mellon's best friend, ex-beauty queen Narelle Jose
- Ms Jose, a married mum-of-two, took a restraining order out against Ms Mellon
Messy love life of Outback Wrangler cop laid bare
Neil Mellon's world came crashing down on August 25. The ex cop was hit with criminal charges, his house was raided and his wife Sandi Mellon found out he cheated on her with her best friend in Darwin.
- Dec 27, 2016
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- #75
Found it.
- Neil Mellon arrested on August 25 accused of tampering with crash investigation
- His house was raided and wife learned he had a two-year affair - on the same day
- Affair was with his wife Sandi Mellon's best friend, ex-beauty queen Narelle Jose
- Ms Jose, a married mum-of-two, took a restraining order out against Ms Mellon
Messy love life of Outback Wrangler cop laid bare
Neil Mellon's world came crashing down on August 25. The ex cop was hit with criminal charges, his house was raided and his wife Sandi Mellon found out he cheated on her with her best friend in Darwin.
They probably told her that her husband was having an affair with her best friend. Eeeeeow.
