What happened
The incident occurred while the aircraft was operating a flight from Melbourne-Moorabbin to Canberra on behalf of the Australian Government. The mission involved transporting high-ranking officials, specifically three Ministers and their accompanying staff. During the final approach phase into Canberra, the weather conditions were reported as ideal. Despite these favorable conditions, the twin engine aircraft experienced a stall. This led to a loss of control, causing the plane to crash approximately two kilometers short of the runway threshold. The impact resulted in a significant explosion. Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, but rescue efforts were unsuccessful due to the severity of the accident. All 10 occupants on board perished.
The individuals aboard included the flight crew and several high-profile government figures. Among the passengers were the Minister for the Army and Repatriation, the Minister for Air and Civil Aviation, and the Vice-President of the Executive Council who was also responsible for Scientific and Industrial Research. Additionally, the Chief of the General Staff and their respective staff officers and private secretaries were present in the cabin.
Findings
The official Board of Inquiry investigated the circumstances surrounding the crash. The investigation concluded that the exact cause could not be determined with absolute certainty. However, the board identified the most likely factor as an aircraft stall during the approach phase. This event resulted in a loss of control at an altitude that was too low to allow for a successful recovery maneuver.