Almost two years on from that deadly crash, Wilson’s widow Danielle is suing Wright’s helicopter company Helibrook and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
An application was filed in the Federal Court yesterday, seeking damages, costs, interest on costs and any other order the court sees fit.
It also outlined multiple failings by Wright’s chopper company.
A section of the report stated: “The ATSB also found that CASA did not have an effective process for assuring an authorisation would be unlikely to adversely affect safety.”
“As a result, CASA delegates did not use the available structured risk management process.”
Additionally concerning Wright’s company: “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.”
All of this has unfolded a day before Wright will return to Darwin Local Court along with his co-accused, fellow helicopter pilot Michael Burbidge and former Northern Territory police officer Neil Mellon.
The trio face a raft of charges – including perverting the course of justice and destroying evidence – over their alleged actions after they arrived at the crash site.
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Tomorrow the group must all appear at court.
Their legal representatives agreed during previous mentions that there would be no witnesses to appear or cross-examination at this time.
It will be the first time specific allegations are heard with 28 volumes of evidence forming part of the case – including around 150,000 text messages from pilot Seb Robinson.
Wright is currently in the Northern Territory for the committal hearing.
If the charges stand, it is likely the case will head to the NT Supreme Court.
Gillis Delaney Lawyers, who represent Wright and Helibrook, said in a statement to 9News: “The proceeding has been forwarded to Helibrook’s insurer who will be conducting the defence to the claim. The application notes that the pilot, who was an independent contractor, is responsible and alleges that Helibrook is liable for his actions. The proceedings will be defended by the insurance provider and we expect that contractor pilot and his company will be joined in the proceedings.”
CASA has also been contacted for comment.
