A former Northern Territory police officer has faced court on charges relating to the investigation into a fatal helicopter crash that killed 'Outback Wrangler' star Chris 'Willow' Wilson earlier this year.
Then-acting senior sergeant Neil Mellon, 47, was arrested as he arrived at work late last month and charged with more than 30 offences.
A second man, helicopter pilot Michael Burbidge, was charged this week with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in the investigation into the crash that happened in west Arnhem Land, 500 kilometres east of Darwin, in February.
On Friday Mr Mellon's lawyer told the Darwin Local Court he was seeking to enter an early plea and deal with the matter quickly.
"I am indicating to enter a plea to the charges and seek to list the matter for a plea in the week of the third of October," Julie Franz said.
The 32 charges listed against Mr Mellon on Friday included disclosure of confidential information and unlawfully accessing data to gain benefit.
Previous charges including destruction of evidence and attempting to pervert the course of justice were not included on the court list.
Asked to clarify if those charges had been dropped, the office of the director of public prosecutions said it was declining to give "comment".
NT Police also refused to clarify.
The former watch commander and Territory Response Group (TRG) lead is charged with a number of weapons, firearms, fireworks and wildlife offences.
Crown Prosecutor Stephen Ledek noted the charges including those relating to the crash investigation carry potential prison sentences.
"There's a variety of offences that range between potentially three years and ten years [jail]," he said.
Mr Ledek told the court some of the matters may need to be heard at the Northern Territory Supreme Court.
The matter was adjourned until October 5 with Mr Mellon excused from appearing in person and his bail continuing.
Chopper crash still under investigation by several agencies
The crash that happened on what was supposed to be a routine crocodile egg harvesting trip along the King River is now the subject of investigations by police, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and NT WorkSafe.
The ATSB released a preliminary report in April saying initial assessments indicated the engine had stopped prior to the helicopter colliding with the ground.
Mr Wilson, 34, who was in a sling connected to the helicopter, was found about 40 metres from the crash site and died from his injuries.
The report also found there were no defects in the helicopter likely to result in engine failure at the time.
Mr Burbidge, who also appeared in 'Outback Wrangler', will appear in court in October.
NT WorkSafe has temporarily banned the use of a helicopter and sling in harvesting operations without an extra compliance check, citing "a serious risk to health and safety".
A husband and father of two young boys, Mr Wilson was remembered as a storyteller, cowboy and family man at a funeral attended by hundreds after his death.
