What happened
Following a night departure, the aircraft named 'Fitzroy' was in the process of climbing to an altitude of 600 feet when it suddenly pitched nose-down. The machine impacted the terrain with its flaps and landing gear retracted, resulting in a significant explosion that completely destroyed the airframe. All 18 occupants on board were killed in the incident.
Findings
The official inquiry determined that the accident occurred because the aircraft entered a stall from which the crew was unable to recover control. While the specific trigger for the stall could not be definitively established, the report noted that excessive loading in the rear baggage compartment may have been a contributing factor. The investigation also highlighted deficiencies in the operator's maintenance standards, particularly regarding aircraft instruments. Although the inquiry recommended suspending or cancelling the operator's airline license due to these poor standards and inadequate record-keeping, the Minister declined to take such action. This decision was based on the argument that the operator had significantly improved its maintenance records since the event and that revoking the license would cause severe hardship to remote communities in Western Australia.