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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Family Remembers 'Good Bloke' Chopper Pilot Wilson Sprague

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Family and friends remember Wilson Sprague, a 27-year-old helicopter pilot who died in a crash while tracking a bushfire.
  • Sprague died on October 9 last year near Kowanyama, west of Cairns, when his helicopter crashed while he was tracking a fire started by lightning.
  • An Australian Transport Safety Bureau report found Sprague was not qualified for night flying and the helicopter was not equipped for after-dark operations.

Wilson Sprague, a 27-year-old helicopter pilot, is remembered by his family as a determined and passionate individual who died in a crash while tracking a bushfire. Sprague lost his life on October 9 last year near Kowanyama, west of Cairns, when his helicopter went down while he was responding to a lightning-started fire.

Wilson was very full on, he walked by the time he was nine months old. He wanted to learn to ride the pushbike without training wheels. He just had that grit and determination.

— Anne SpragueWilson Sprague's mother describes his determined nature from a young age.

His mother, Anne Sprague, recalled his "grit and determination" from a young age, noting his desire to learn to ride a bike without training wheels. She described him as someone who wouldn't hesitate to finish a job, even if it was late in the afternoon. However, an Australian Transport Safety Bureau report revealed that Sprague was not qualified for night flying, and the helicopter he was piloting was not equipped for operations after dark.

He was flying back from picking up parts and he'd noticed a fire started by lightning. He just wasn't a bloke who would've thought, 'No, it's late in the afternoon, someone else will sort that.' He wouldn't stop until the job was done.

— Anne SpragueAnne Sprague explains her son's dedication to his work, even in dangerous situations.

Growing up on a remote cattle station, Sprague developed a strong interest in stock work and dreamed of working on stations. His passion for flying was ignited at age 14 during a trial helicopter flight. After graduating high school, he worked as a ringer and later obtained his private helicopter license, working as a mustering pilot across several cattle stations in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

He just had a quiet, gentle nature with animals. He always wanted to go work on stations.

— Anne SpragueAnne Sprague recalls her son's affinity for animals and his career aspirations.

Friends remember Sprague as a "good bloke" and incredibly strong. Gordon Magoffin, a fellow pilot, described him as "tough as nails," capable of welding and operating heavy machinery. Sprague was known for his gentle nature with animals and his dedication to his work, embodying the spirit of those who grow up in remote Australian settings.

He was tough as nails, [you] could not get tougher than Wilson Sprague.

— Gordon MagoffinMuttaburra chopper pilot Gordon Magoffin remembers Wilson Sprague's strength.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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