A Northern Territory helicopter pilot charged in relation to a fatal crash earlier this year has been banned from making contact with several people, including celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright, a court has heard.
Prominent 'Outback Wrangler' cast member, Chris 'Willow' Wilson, 34, was on a job collecting crocodile eggs in a remote area of west Arnhem Land, when he was fatally injured in the crash.
Helicopter pilot Sebastian Robinson was airlifted from the scene with serious injuries.
Another chopper pilot, Michael Burbidge, who has been charged with a number of offences over the incident, including destroying evidence, today appeared in court.
Judge Ben O'Loughlin ruled that Mr Burbidge was prohibited from contacting a number of people, and the court heard that as part of his bail conditions he was already banned from contacting Mr Wright, a tourism operator and TV host in the Northern Territory.
Former high-ranking NT Police officer, Neil Mellon, who is facing more than 30 charges over the incident including perverting the course of justice, disclosing confidential information, unlawfully accessing data and obtaining benefit by deception, also had his matter heard in court.
He was ordered to surrender his passport to authorities as part of his amended bail conditions.
Crown tries to stop contact with crocodile farmer
Darwin Local Court also heard one of the NT's most prominent businessmen, Mick Burns, was "at the site" of the crash that killed Mr Wilson and was "inextricably linked" to the events.
The court did not hear any evidence or allegations of wrongdoing against Mr Wright, or Mr Burns.
Crown prosecutor Steve Ledek made a bid for Mr Burbidge to be banned from contacting Mr Burns, a crocodile farmer with whom Mr Burbidge has close business ties, as part of his bail conditions.
Mr Burbidge's defence lawyer Paul Crean urged that ruling would be unfair to his client.
"It's coming up to crocodile egg collecting season, [and Mr Burns is] the owner of one of the local businesses he liaises with on a regular basis," Mr Crean said.
"Preventing him from dealing with these people is seriously impacting his ability to carry out his business."
Mr Ledek told the court that while he accepted "that Mick Burns [among others] are people who he continues to work with" … he also alleged "they are all also inextricably linked to the events on that fatal day on the February 28 this year".
"Mick Burns was there at the site," Mr Ledek said.
But he did not tell the court any further details about why he was there or when he arrived.
In calling for contact between Mr Burbidge, Mr Burns and a list of six other people including Mr Wright's wife Kaia to be prohibited, Mr Ledek said "we're trying to safeguard the interests of justice".
"[We need to] ensure that there is no further corruption or contamination of the evidence that presently exists – it's about the preservation of the case," he said.
Mr Ledek told the court that while Mr Burbidge may not be "the main player … he is part of an overall matrix of individuals who have come together and [allegedly] done things to obfuscate and to impede a proper investigation into the circumstances of that fatality".
Mr Crean spoke of his client as a husband and father with no prior criminal convictions, and as a highly skilled pilot who operates in critical situations, including as a contractor for police rescue operations.
He also said Mr Burbidge "understands the seriousness of the offences".
Judge Ben O'Loughlin told the court that Mr Burbidge could continue contact with Mr Burns given the pair's ongoing business links.
Judge O'Loughlin also agreed to alter Mr Burbidge's bail conditions to allow him to travel interstate for work purposes and to receive health treatment.
Mr Burbidge's case returns to court on November 23, while Mr Mellon is required back in court on November 9.
The circumstances of the helicopter crash are also still under investigation, with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirming it "anticipates publication of the investigation report by the end of the year".
