What happened
On a scheduled flight from Perth Airport to Melbourne via Adelaide, the four-engine aircraft departed from runway 29 at 21:50 local time. Shortly after the departure phase, the crew identified technical issues with the fourth engine, necessitating its shutdown. Following this initial failure, additional complications arose involving the remaining three engines.
In response to the escalating mechanical issues, the captain initiated an emergency return to Perth to perform a safe landing. While executing a turn at low altitude during the night, the aircraft collided with trees and crashed in a forested region situated approximately 19 km northwest of York. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the airframe.
Of the occupants on board, 28 fatalities were recorded immediately following the crash, alongside one passenger who sustained serious injuries. Tragically, the sole survivor succumbed to their injuries six days after the accident.
Findings
An official inquiry established that the aircraft experienced a complete loss of power in at least one engine, which led to a rapid descent and the eventual ground impact. However, investigators were unable to pinpoint the specific reason for the total loss of engine power, leaving the definitive cause of the accident undetermined.