Lockhart River air disaster refers to the controlled flight into terrain ( CFIT ) in Queensland , Australia of a Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner commuter aircraft at 11:44 am on 7 May 2005 . The aircraft , registered owned by Transair Ltd and operated by Aerotropics , was on approach to land at Lockhart River Airport in far-north Queensland , Australia when it struck the ridge known as South Pap , 6 nautical miles ( 11 km ) north-west of the Airport . All fifteen on board died as the aircraft was completely destroyed by impact forces and subsequent fire . The flight was returning from Bamaga on Cape York to the regional centre of Cairns . It was the worst air crash in Australia in 36 years since MacRobertson Miller Airlines Flight 1750 on 31 December 1968
MacRobertson Miller Airlines Flight 1750
MacRobertson Miller Airlines Flight 1750
Lockhart River air disaster