What happened
During a night cargo operation from Mackay Airport to Rockhampton, a twin engine aircraft experienced a catastrophic loss of control. Approximately one minute after departing from the runway, while the flight was in its initial climb phase, the plane descended uncontrollably into the ocean near the Mackay coastline.
The aircraft was carrying a shipment of newspapers at the time of the incident. The impact with the water resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There were two fatalities among the crew members on board.
Findings
Official investigations into the crash examined several possibilities regarding the sudden loss of control during the climb. Investigators noted that a bird strike remained a possibility and could not be excluded as a contributing factor to the accident.