The helicopter pilot charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in connection to the fatal helicopter crash that killed Outback Wrangler cast member Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson was ordered by the court not to contact celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright – it has been revealed – with names of other prominent Territorians “inextricably linked” to the incident disclosed in court for the first time.

Mick Burbidge, who owns Remote Helicopters Australia, appeared in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday, after he was charged last month for alleged offences related to the February crash, including destroying evidence, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and making a false declaration.

Crown prosecutor Steve Ledek objected to variations of Mr Burbidge’s bail conditions that would allow him to leave the Territory, telling the court that witnesses and people connected to the crash were interstate, particularly Queensland.

Mr Ledek told the court while Mr Burbidge was not “the main player, or indeed a central player … he is part of an overall matrix of individuals who have come together to obfuscate and to impede the proper investigation into the circumstances of that fatality”.

“[We need to] ensure that there is no further corruption or contamination of the evidence that presently exists,” he said.

Mr Burbidge’s lawyer Paul Crean argued that Mr Burbidge routinely worked interstate as an in-demand remote helicopter pilot and needed to travel interstate for work.

Mr Ledek said while the Crown did not want to adversely affect Mr Burbidge’s business, he was concerned the pilot would contact people connected to the investigation.

Mr Ledek attempted to have prominent Darwin businessman and crocodile farmer Mick Burns added to Mr Burbidge’s no-contact list, that was revealed already included Outback Wrangler star and NT tourism poster-boy Matt Wright, pilots Jock Purcell and Morgan Vilder, as well as Tim Johnson, and police officer Neil Mellon, who is also facing charges over his alleged involvement in the crash incident.

The court heard Mr Burns was also at the site of the helicopter crash in February.

“Mick Burns was there at the site,” Mr Ledek said.

No further information was provided to the court about Mr Burns’ involvement.

The application to prevent Mr Burbidge from contacting Mr Burns was rejected by Judge Ben O’Loughlin, who ruled that Mr Burbidge may contact Mr Burns in connection to the pair’s ongoing work activities.

However, Mr Ledek was successful at getting three more people added to Mr Burbidge’s no-contact list, including Mr Wright’s wife Kaia Wright, and Jai Tomlinson and Nick Fordham who were in another helicopter collecting crocodile eggs the day of the crash.

Judge O’Loughlin ruled other individuals involved, including pilot Ty Richardson and Tim Luck – who were also both on the crocodile egg expedition in separate helicopters – would not be added to Mr Burbidge’s no-contact list, despite the prosecution’s objections.

“[They were] all inextricably linked to the events of that day,” Mr Ledek said.

“They saw certain things, they are witnesses to some of the events that Mr Burbidge has engaged in.”

There were no allegations that Mr Wright, Mr Burns or any other person named in court committed any offence, with the exception of former NT Police officer Neil Mellon.

Mr Mellon, who reportedly recently resigned from the NT Police after a distinguished career, is facing more than 30 charges in connection to the incident, including perverting the course of justice, unlawfully accessing data, obtaining benefit by deception and disclosing confidential information.

He was also in court Wednesday on his charges and forced to surrender his passport as part of amended bail conditions that permitted him to travel interstate.

Outback Wrangler cast member Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson was killed in February when the helicopter he was reportedly suspended from while collecting crocodile eggs crashed near King River in East Arnhem Land.

Pilot Sebastian Robinson was seriously injured in the crash but survived. The circumstances around the crash are currently under investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Mr Mellon’s case will be back in court on November 9. Mr Burbidge’s case is scheduled for another hearing on November 23.

The ATSB has previously confirmed it “anticipates” its final report into the helicopter crash will be published by the end of the year.