What happened
The incident involved a twin-engine aircraft operating a scheduled service between Darwin and Adelaide, with an intermediate stop at Katherine. The aircraft was transporting approximately 700 pounds of mail when it departed the airport. During the initial climb phase shortly after liftoff, the plane failed to gain sufficient altitude. This loss of height led to an aerodynamic stall, causing the aircraft to descend rapidly into the Katherine River in close proximity to the airfield. The wreckage came to rest in approximately six feet of water. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe and the deaths of all four occupants. The crew consisted of two pilots and a copilot/flight engineer, while the sole passenger was a senior aviation inspector for the Northern Territory.
Findings
Investigations into the accident focused on the operational limitations of the departure point. It was determined that the single runway available at the site, measuring only 700 yards, was marginal for the specific type of aircraft involved. Physical evidence in the form of wheel marks indicated that the crew made five separate attempts to become airborne before reaching the boundary fence. These prior failures likely contributed to a final takeoff attempt executed with insufficient airspeed, which directly precipitated the stall and subsequent crash.