On 10 July, 1978, the Partenavia P68B aircraft with a crew of two and one passenger aboard, took off from Runway 26 at Essendon Airport, Victoria, and climbed to a height of 200 to 250 feet. One engine failed, the aircraft descended and crashed into houses 286 metres beyond the western end of the runway.

One house was destroyed by explosion and ensuing fire and two other houses were damaged. Six persons on the ground were killed, and one person received minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed and the three occupants were seriously injured.