What happened
The final radio contact with the aircraft was established approximately fifteen minutes before its estimated time of arrival at Cairns Airport. During the descent phase, the twin-engine machine collided with a hillside within the boundaries of Daintree National Park. The impact site was situated near Mossman, roughly 65 kilometers to the northwest of Cairns.
Search and rescue operations were initiated immediately following the loss of contact but were suspended after several days due to the inability to locate any debris or survivors. It was not until January 1989 that the wreckage was discovered in a secluded and mountainous section of the park. The investigation confirmed that all 20 occupants perished in the accident. Among the deceased were two civilians, while the remaining individuals were military personnel serving as crew members and passengers.
Findings
The source material does not provide specific technical findings or contributing factors regarding the mechanical condition of the aircraft or human error. The primary factual outcome documented is the total loss of the airframe and the fatalities of all persons on board in a remote terrain environment.