Narrative:As flight 232 approached the Alice Springs Airport, a man emerged from the toilet carrying a firearm. After landing 22 passengers were released and the hijacker demanded a light aircraft to convey him into the desert. A Cessna six seater piloted by Aero Club manager and chief flying instructor Ossie Watts taxied out. He was a accompanied by a plain clothes constable posing as navigator. The Cessna was brought within 30 feet of the F-27. When trying to get to the Cessna, the constable tried to disarm him, but failed. He was shot several times by the hijacker. Then the police opened fire on the hijacker. He was later arrested but died in hospital.
Sources:
» Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Adelaide Airport, SA to Alice Springs Airport, NT as the crow flies is 1313 km (821 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.