General Aircraft ST-12 Monospar

The airplane departed Horn Island on a flight to Cairns, carrying three passengers and one pilot. While cruising along the east coast of Queensland, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Orford Bay, some 95 km southeast of Horn Island. SAR operations were initiated and the wreckage was found three days later. All four occupants were injured and transported to local hospital.

The aircraft was being used to ferry the passengers from VH-UXX 'Faith in Australia' which had suffered engine failure near Daly Waters when the Monospar had an engine failure itself. It was en route from Daly Waters to Alice Springs with two passengers on board, two crew members and a crocodile that was destined for the Melbourne Zoo. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a uninhabited area located near Woodgreen Station, Northern Australia. Upon landing, the aircraft slid for several yards and hit trees before coming to rest. The engineer walked some 30 miles to the overland telegraph line to find help. All passengers were eventually rescued and they survived as they ate the crocodile.