What happened
A charter flight departed Darwin Airport at 11:33 local time, bound for Baucau. During the flight, the aircraft encountered adverse weather conditions. Approximately thirty minutes after departure, the pilot established radio contact with the crew of a CR-TAG, a TAT Heron. This interaction served as the final communication from the flight before the aircraft went missing.
Shortly after this contact, the plane crashed into the ocean in the vicinity of Bathurst Island. The accident resulted in nine fatalities, with no survivors reported among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the primary factor was the pilot's operation of the aircraft during periods of low visibility for which they lacked the necessary qualifications. Additionally, investigators noted that psychological factors were likely a contributing element to the accident.