Darwin – Maningrida

On February 6, 2009 at 08:40 AM, Darwin – Maningrida experienced a crash involving Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, operated by CSG Services, with the event recorded near Darwin Northern Territory.

The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

6 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 6 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff from Darwin Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot declared an emergency and elected to return but eventually attempted to ditch the aircraft that came to rest in shallow water about 200 metres offshore. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-TFX, MSN 31-8152143, year of manufacture 1981.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -12.4124°, 130.8357°.