Defence commemorates 20th anniversary of ‘Shark 02’ crash

The Australian Defence Force today commemorated the 20th anniversary of the crash of Navy Westland Sea King Mk 50 helicopter, ‘Shark 02’, on the Indonesian island of Nias.

CAPTION: Family, friends and members of the local and ADF communities attend a 20th anniversary memorial service for the ‘Shark 02’ helicopter crash, conducted at the Fleet Air Museum, HMAS Albatross. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

Commemoration ceremonies were held at Russell Offices in Canberra and at the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, NSW.

Acting Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley attended the commemoration in Canberra, and Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Christopher Smith attended in Nowra.

Nine Australian Defence Force members, six Navy and three RAAF, were tragically killed when a failure in the Sea King’s flight-control systems caused the aircraft to crash.

Two members, Navy Leading Seaman Shane Warburton, and RAAF Corporal Scott Nichols, were seriously injured, but survived.

The helicopter, operating from HMAS Kanimbla, was transporting a medical team as part of a humanitarian mission following an 8.6 magnitude earthquake that struck in the area six days earlier, when the flight controls failed, causing the nose of the aircraft to pitch down, leading to a devastating impact with the ground.

Acting Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley said today my thoughts are with the families of the victims of the ‘Shark 02’ crash and the survivors, their families and their shipmates.

“The Navy honours the courage, dedication, and remarkable human spirit shown by the fallen and the survivors of the ‘Shark 02’ crash,” Rear Admiral Buckley said.

“We honour the memory of those who were lost and offer our enduring admiration and support to Leading Seaman Warburton and Corporal Nichols.

“Our commemorations help us remember those who were lost and remind the ADF and Defence of what we need to do to keep our people and their families safe.”

 

If commemorations of the ‘Shark 02’ tragedy raises issues that are personally challenging for current or former Defence members and families, support is available.

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