NT Police has said its investigation file on last year’s crash of Matt Wright’s company’s helicopter includes evidence of maintenance and fuel records, expert opinions concerning the fuel system and airworthiness of the aircraft, and toxicology analyses of individuals involved in the crash.

Police put out a statement with no one’s name attached to it on Thursday morning in response to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau publishing its damning, 113-page final investigation report into the crash of the Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, registered VH-IDW, which was owned by crocodile wrangler Wright’s company Helibrook.

Wright’s Wild Croc Territory and Outback Wrangler co-star, 34-year-old Chris Wilson, was killed in the crash during a crocodile egg collecting mission on the morning of February 28 last year in the King River region of West Arnhem Land. Wilson had been hanging from a sling beneath the helicopter at the time of the crash.

The 30-year-old pilot and aircraft engineer Sebastian Robinson suffered severe spinal injuries.

The ATSB investigation found the helicopter crashed because it ran out of fuel mid-air causing the engine to stop, with maintenance non-compliance also increasing risk levels for much of the company’s flying, and engine defects likely affecting the chopper’s fuel consumption.

The report said that during the subsequent autorotation emergency forced landing procedure, the pilot released the hooks and sling line carrying Wilson beneath the helicopter.

“Based on an analysis of fuel samples and other evidence, the ATSB investigation found that the helicopter was likely not refuelled at a fuel depot about three quarters of the way between Darwin and the crocodile egg collecting area, and that the pilot did not identify the reducing fuel state before the helicopter’s engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said in a statement.

“In addition, and although not assessed on the evidence as having been contributory to this accident, the operator’s history of non-compliance with regulatory requirements, maintenance standards and accurate record keeping, increased the risk level for much of their aviation activities.

“Although not likely to result in sudden power loss, engine defects present at the time of the accident likely affected the engine’s maximum power output and fuel consumption.

“Additionally, Helibrook had likely overrun the helicopter’s maintenance, inspection and overhaul periods, which increased the likelihood of the helicopter experiencing a technical failure or malfunction.”

The ATSB also said toxicology results, which showed the “pilot’s exposure to cocaine within the previous few days, increased the likelihood of fatigue, depression and inattention, however there was insufficient evidence to determine whether these effects occurred”.

NT Police said it had shared a comprehensive investigation file with the Director of Public Prosecutions, Worksafe NT, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which included maintenance and fuel records, expert opinions concerning the fuel system and airworthiness of the stricken aircraft, and toxicology analyses of individuals involved in the crash.

“These agencies are currently examining the culpability of individuals and entities with respect to the tragic death of Christopher ‘Willow’ Wilson,” the statement said.

“Detectives have also provided comprehensive evidence to the ATSB to assist with their safety-focussed investigation.”

The ATSB report said the chopper landed with the two other R44 helicopters on the egg collecting mission at a refueling station at Mount Borradaile but there was no record of how much fuel was put into the helicopters. And it also showed there was conflicting witness statements about the chopper refuelling.

Wright, 43, is accused of perverting the course of justice and destruction of evidence.

He is also facing charges of fabricating evidence, interfering with witnesses, making a false declaration, and two counts of unlawful entry after the helicopter crashed into trees and the ground in a remote area.

Now former Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon, 48, was arrested as he arrived at work late in August last year and charged with more 32 offences. They had included disclosure of confidential information and unlawfully accessing data to gain benefit gaining, obtaining benefit by deception and stealing, as well as seemingly now dropped charges of destruction of evidence and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Helicopter pilot Michael Burbidge was charged last September with with four alleged crimes: conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, attempting to pervert the course of justice, destruction of evidence and providing a false statement in a statutory declaration.

All three maintain their innocence and are fighting the charges.