What happened
The incident occurred during a nighttime departure from Brisbane-Archerfield Airport. Approximately one minute after lifting off, the aircraft was climbing when it encountered a patch of fog. The airplane rolled to the left until it reached a 90-degree bank angle before nosing down and impacting the ground in a wooded area located 1,500 metres south of the airport. Upon impact, the airframe burst into flames. All 23 occupants were killed in the crash.
The aircraft carried a crew of four, including the pilot, copilot, fitter, and wireless operator, along with nineteen passengers comprising military personnel from various branches. The registration of the aircraft was VH-CTB.
Findings
Initial speculation suggested that an engine failure might have contributed to the accident; however, investigators found no evidence of mechanical unserviceability in any of the aircraft systems. The official investigation concluded in 1943 that the crash resulted from pilot error and poor technique. Modern analysis suggests that spatial disorientation or instrument issues, such as caged gyros, may have led to the rapid loss of control. The pilot had limited experience on this specific type, with only 121 total hours, including just 14 hours as captain.