Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright denies having any duty of care to a Netflix series co-star who died in a crash while attached to a helicopter.
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Chris Wilson was killed in early 2022 while dangling from the aircraft, which was owned by Wright, for the purpose of collecting crocodile eggs.
His wife Danielle Wilson is suing Wright and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for alleged "wrongful acts or omissions" that caused or contributed to her husband's death.
But Wright's lawyer Darryn Kelly told a Federal Court hearing in Sydney on Friday his client did not have a legal duty of care for Mr Wilson, by virtue of being the helicopter's owner or any other reason.
"There was no relationship between the men to create a duty of care," he said.
Mr Kelly compared the helicopter in question to ownership of a motor vehicle, which he said did not create a duty of care over its use.
Ms Wilson is seeking costs, damages, interest, interest on costs and "such other order as the court sees fit" for the psychological harm caused by the alleged conduct.
"(She) suffered nervous shock and or psychiatric harm and loss of maintenance and support of Mr Wilson during the course of his lifetime," her application to the court read.
The helicopter's pilot Sebastian Robinson was critically injured in the crash but survived.
An Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found the chopper's engine stopped mid-flight due to a lack of fuel.
During the subsequent emergency landing, Mr Robinson released the helicopter's hooks and sling line before it crashed to the ground.
Wright and his aviation company Helibrook face a series of criminal and civil charges in the Northern Territory over the fatal crash.
His friend, revered NT pilot Michael Burbidge, was first on the scene of the crash before he was joined by Wright and former senior police officer Neil Mellon.
The three men were all later charged with perverting the course of justice and destroying evidence.
Burbidge later pleaded guilty to the destruction of Mr Wilson's mobile phone, while Wright will go to trial in the NT Supreme Court on one count of perverting the course of justice.
Another six charges, which include tampering with evidence and threatening Mr Robinson, are yet to be heard, however Wright denies any allegations of wrongdoing.
Justice Elizabeth Raper, who is overseeing the Federal Court lawsuit, asked what happened to crocodile eggs once they were collected, to which Mr Kelly replied they went to a farm and were hatched.
"It's not a particularly promising future for what happens to (the crocodiles) after that," he said.
"I think fashion accessories is probably the best description."
The matter is due to return to court on April 10.
Australian Associated Press
