On 12 June 1996, a formation of six Black Hawk helicopters departed RAAF Townsville to conduct a counter-terrorism approach exercise in the High Range Training Area. Thirty seconds from the landing zone, one of the helicopters veered to the right, clipping the tail rotor of a second aircraft. The lead helicopter crashed to the ground upside down. The second helicopter entered a flat spin before crash landing in an upright position. Both aircrafts were consumed by fire.

Eighteen Australian servicepeople perished and a further 12 were injured. Equipment worth $37 million was destroyed. The Board of Inquiry found that the planning and information regarding the air mission were inadequate; however no criminal charges were laid.