What happened
On the day of the accident, Connair Flight 1263, operated by a DH-114 Heron with registration VH-CLS, was performing a scheduled flight from Alice Springs to Cairns with a stop in Mount Isa. After departing Mount Isa and climbing to its assigned cruising altitude, the aircraft proceeded toward its destination. At approximately 18:49 hours, the crew reported their position near Saucebottle Creek, flying at 6000 feet.
As the flight approached Cairns, air traffic controllers instructed the crew to prepare for an ILS approach to runway 15. During this period, weather reports indicated a thunderstorm in the vicinity of the airport and decreasing visibility due to heavy showers. The aircraft arrived over the Biboohra VOR and began its descent toward the runway. By 19:20 hours, the crew reported leaving 3700 feet, signaling the start of the final approach segment.
At 19:26 hours, the crew notified controllers that they were performing a go-around. The controller provided instructions for a missed approach on a heading of 035 degrees and a climb to 3700 feet. During the maneuver, the aircraft turned away from the airport and descended to a low altitude while executing a left-hand orbit. While transitioning into a right-hand turn, the aircraft continued to lose altitude and crashed.
Findings
Following the abandonment of the landing approach and the subsequent misalignment with the runway, the pilot in command failed to immediately begin a climb to a safe altitude.