Thirteen passengers and two crew members were killed on 7 May 2005, when a TransAir Metroliner aircraft crashed into rugged terrain. The aircraft was approaching the airstrip at Lockhart River airport, far north Queensland, when it crashed approximately 11 km north-west of its destination. A Coroner's Report found that the Pilot of the aircraft approached the airport in a manner inconsistent with official regulations and the policies of the airline; flying too fast, too low and descending too quickly.

The flight broke through the safe minimum altitude of 2060 ft, flying approximately 800 ft below it when it hit the mountain. Instead of a final approach speed of 117 to 130 knots, the aircraft was averaging 175 knots, and instead of descending at 1000 ft per minute, the aircraft was descending at 1700 ft per minute. The aircraft hit the 500 m high hill at approximately 11.45 am and was destroyed by the impact forces and post impact fires.