A 47-year-old pilot has been killed in a helicopter crash in the remote community of Ramingining in the Northern Territory's East Arnhem Land.
At around 2:45pm on November 15, police received reports of the crash, and the male pilot was declared deceased at the scene.
Superintendent Drew Slape said investigations into the cause of the crash were still ongoing and police were working closely with all relevant stakeholders.
The fatal helicopter crash comes only nine months after Outback Wrangler star Chris 'Willow' Wilson died in a helicopter crash, also in Arnhem Land.
On February 28, the long-time friend and colleague of crocodile wrangler Matt Wright, was killed when the Robinson R44 helicopter he was hanging 30 metres below collided with trees and the ground.
Willow Wilson appeared on National Geographic's Outback Wrangler for more than 10 years. The program is seen in 130 countries.
Only last month, Northern Territory Police called upon the community to supply images taken of or inside a Robinson R44 Raven II bearing the call sign VH-IDW between 2020 and 2022.
The R44, the aircraft involved in the crash, was believed to be used for scenic and adventure tours in the Territory between 2020 and 2022 and police would like to speak with anyone who may have travelled in the aircraft.
At the time, Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Corey Borton said police were particularly interested in anyone who may have taken photos or videos of, or in this aircraft, to come forward and provide these images to police.
The father-of-two's body was found 40 metres from the main wreckage at the King River crash site, a preliminary Air Transport Safety Bureau report revealed in April.
He was attached to a line using a harness so he could harvest eggs from difficult-to-access crocodile nests in swampy areas while the helicopter hovered above.
The crashed helicopter was one of three involved in collecting eggs on the day. It was found by one of the other crews after failing to respond to radio calls.
He leaves behind his wife Danielle and two young sons, Ted, 4, and Austin, 1.
Pilot Sebastian Robinson was seriously injured in the incident and was airlifted to Maningrida, before being transferred to hospital in Darwin.
Outback Wrangler presenter Matt Wright previously said "his family and team (were) absolutely devastated by the tragic accident".
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"(They) are heartbroken by the loss of their best friend and highly respected colleague Chris 'Willow' Wilson," said a statement issued by The Fordham Company a day after the crash.
A preliminary ATSB analysis of the site indicated the accident happened when the helicopter's main rotor blade struck and cut through a tree trunk multiple times before the aircraft hit the ground.
Initial assessments indicated the engine had stopped prior to the helicopter hitting the ground.
Anyone with information regarding the helicopter is asked to contact police on 131 444 or make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersnt.com.au.
Annie Hesse
I am an award-winning media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcast, as well as photography and videography. I am the NT Correspondent at Australian Community Media and I write for my hometown newspaper, the Katherine Times. I love telling people's stories, and I am passionate about giving those a voice who may otherwise remain unheard. When I am not busy putting pen to paper, I spend time in my garden, go bushwalking or travel across the Northern Territory, Australia or the world. In my spare time I write, illustrate and publish books.
I am an award-winning media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcast, as well as photography and videography. I am the NT Correspondent at Australian Community Media and I write for my hometown newspaper, the Katherine Times. I love telling people's stories, and I am passionate about giving those a voice who may otherwise remain unheard. When I am not busy putting pen to paper, I spend time in my garden, go bushwalking or travel across the Northern Territory, Australia or the world. In my spare time I write, illustrate and publish books.
