What happened
The incident involved a Royal Australian Air Force transport aircraft named Moresby. The flight departed from Darwin Airport at 0535 local time, heading toward Adelaide. On board were two crew members and ten soldiers, totaling twelve people.
Approximately five minutes after takeoff, the right-hand engine ignited. In response to this mechanical failure, the flight crew initiated a return to the departure airfield. During the final approach phase, conditions included low visibility. The pilot attempted an emergency landing but struck a tree while in a prairie area. The impact caused the airframe to break apart and catch fire, resulting in the total destruction of the aircraft.
Despite the severity of the crash and the subsequent fire, all twelve individuals on board managed to evacuate safely. There were no fatalities or injuries reported among the occupants.
Findings
The official investigation identified the primary trigger for the emergency as an engine fire occurring shortly after takeoff.