Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright will head to trial next year, accused of perverting the course of justice following a deadly chopper crash that killed his co-star.
Chris Wilson, 34, plunged to his death in a remote area of the Northern Territory in February last year while attached to a helicopter owned by Wright.
Wright and his pilot Michael Burbidge went to the scene of the crash, accompanied by former senior police officer Neil Mellon.
The three men were all later charged with perverting the course of justice and destroying evidence.
Wright appeared in Darwin Local Court on Thursday when prosecutors said they were ready to go to trial on one of the seven charges.
He will face the NT Supreme Court on January 18 on one count of perverting the course of justice
Read Related Also: Aussie Christmas flight chaos as largest flood ever strikes Far North Queensland with the airport closing
The other six charges, which include tampering with evidence and threatening pilot Sebastian Robinson who was critically injured in the crash, have been moved to a later date.
Burbidge who was facing four charges, pleaded guilty to destroying evidence and had the other three charges withdrawn.
Mellon is set to appear in court later on Thursday afternoon.
By 2017, most safety conditions limiting height, speed and exposure were removed by CASA, meaning Wilson could be attached to the helicopter up to 30 metres.
The ATSB also made findings against Wright, with the report saying his helicopter company had a “long history of noncompliance” and the chopper had several engine defects.
The civil charges in the Federal Court will likely not be heard until next year.
