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Bird Strike After Takeoff at Darwin Airport (NZ5804)

Darwin, AustraliaTakeoff (climb)

On September 9, 1955, a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings (registration NZ5804) operated by Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF was involved in an aviation accident near Darwin, Australia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure caused by a bird strike after takeoff. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft suffered a bird strike shortly after takeoff from Darwin Airport, leading to an engine failure, a stall, and a crash past the runway end. All 25 occupants were injured, and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Incident Overview and Outcome A four-engine aircraft experienced a bird strike while climbing shortly after departing Darwin Airport. The impact resulted in the loss of power in one engine, which subsequently caused the aircraft to stall. The aircraft crashed past the end of the runway. All 25 people on board sustained injuries, and the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it beyond repair. ## Official Findings The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was an engine failure caused by a bird strike after takeoff. The source does not provide specific details regarding the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or exact location beyond Darwin Airport.

Engine failure

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