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Matt Wright Accident: Latest Update on the Bynoe Harbour Airboat Crash

Australian television personality and crocodile-wrangling operator Matt Wright is facing further legal action over a 2023 airboat accident in the Northern Territory, after two families filed a negligence lawsuit describing a frightening experience during a guided crocodile tour.

The case concerns an airboat operated during a tour associated with Wright’s Top End Safari Camp business in the Bynoe Harbour area, west of Darwin. The families allege that the vessel struck a tree, leaving passengers injured and stranded in waters they describe as crocodile-infested.

The latest major public update, reported on September 16, 2026, detailed allegations filed in the Federal Court by two couples, Ryan and Philippa Payne and Scott and Bianca McFarlane. They are bringing the proceedings on behalf of themselves and their children.

What Happened During the 2023 Airboat Accident?

According to the families’ court claims, they were attending a corporate retreat that included a crocodile tour. They allege that passengers were given limited safety information before boarding the airboat.

The claim describes the vessel travelling at speed through the water before approaching a tree along the riverbank. The families allege that the driver did not turn away in time and that the airboat collided with the tree.

They further claim that the impact caused passengers to be thrown from their positions and left the vessel damaged. The families say they feared for their safety and were unable to obtain immediate assistance because of limited mobile phone reception and the alleged absence of functioning safety and communication equipment.

The court documents also describe serious injuries to passengers, including a woman who allegedly sustained a significant head injury.

These accounts represent the plaintiffs’ allegations and should not be treated as judicial findings.

Families Seek Compensation Over Alleged Injuries

The two couples say the incident caused physical and psychological harm to members of their families, including their children.

Their legal action accuses Matt Wright, his wife Kaia Wright and Top End Safari Camp of negligence. The plaintiffs also allege that the defendants engaged in unconscionable conduct in connection with the operation of the tour.

They are seeking damages, including aggravated and exemplary damages, in addition to other legal relief.

The proceedings have brought renewed attention to passenger safety in the operation of commercial airboat tours and the responsibilities of businesses offering adventure tourism experiences.

Matt Wright and His Wife Dispute the Allegations

Matt Wright, Kaia Wright and their company have disputed the families’ account of the accident and rejected the allegations made against them.

Their defence describes claims about alleged previous safety breaches as inflammatory, unproven and irrelevant to the proceedings. They also deny negligence and dispute aspects of the plaintiffs’ account, including claims concerning the boat’s equipment and its operating arrangements.

The defendants have not accepted responsibility for the alleged injuries or the circumstances described in the lawsuit.

The distinction is important: the families have presented allegations in court, while the Wrights have contested them. The claims must be determined through the legal process.

A Separate Legal Battle Over Another Airboat Claim

The 2023 accident has also generated other legal proceedings. In June 2026, Amelia-Kate and Gregory Potts brought a separate negligence claim concerning an airboat tour they say ended in a collision with a tree.

The couple allege they experienced physical and psychological injuries and are seeking compensation. Their case is separate from the Federal Court proceedings brought by the Payne and McFarlane families.

The multiple claims have increased scrutiny of the safety arrangements surrounding the tour operation, although the existence of lawsuits does not itself establish liability.

Matt Wright’s Previous Helicopter Crash Controversy

The airboat litigation is separate from the fatal helicopter crash in Arnhem Land in February 2022, which killed Chris “Willow” Wilson and left pilot Sebastian Robinson with life-changing injuries.

Wright was subsequently convicted of two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the investigation that followed that helicopter crash. He was not convicted of causing the helicopter accident itself.

The two incidents should not be confused: the 2022 case involved a helicopter, while the current civil claims concern a separate 2023 airboat accident.

What Happens Next?

The September 2026 report stated that the Federal Court case involving the Payne and McFarlane families was due to return on October 2, 2026. A subsequent confirmed outcome from that scheduled court appearance has not been established in the information available for this article.

The proceedings remain important to the families seeking compensation and to the defendants contesting the claims. Further court developments may clarify the disputed circumstances and determine whether any party is legally responsible.

Matt Wright Accident: Key Details

Disclaimer: This report summarises allegations and responses described in legal proceedings. Allegations are not proof of liability, and no finding of negligence should be inferred unless established by the court. Court proceedings and claims may change as further evidence is considered. Readers should consult official court updates for the latest procedural developments.