On 28 July 2023 an Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan helicopter, callsign Bushman 83, catastrophically crashed into the water near Lindeman Island while conducting night-time training during Exercise Talisman Sabre. This tragedy resulted in the deaths of Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs.

On 31 October 2023, the IGADF appointed an inquiry to rigorously examine the circumstances and causes of their deaths to determine whether actions or inactions by ADF personnel or others; compliance or non-compliance with policies and procedures; or other matters were contributing factors.

Leading the inquiry is former Justice the Honourable Margaret McMurdo AC, who will be supported by Air Vice-Marshal Geoff Harland AM CSC DSM, a senior Air Force officer with considerable aviation and air safety experience who has recently retired from full-time service. The Inquiry will be assisted by barrister, Colonel Jens Streit, who is a senior Army Reservist. Additional Assistant Inspectors General ADF have also been assigned to the Inquiry Team. 

Make a submission to the Inquiry

  • Relevant personal experiences and observations may be extremely important to the Inquiry investigations. The Inquiry welcomes submissions from current or former members of the Australian Defence Force and members of the public. Submissions can be made by completing the online form or by email.
  • Submissions can be made anonymously.
  • The Inquiry will acknowledge and review all submissions and follow up as required.
  • It is an offence to prevent or dissuade someone from providing information to the Inquiry or to victimise, penalise or prejudice someone from giving information to the Inquiry. Refer to Inspector-General Of The Australian Defence Force Regulation 2016 - REG 31.
  • Submissions can be made as follows:

Inquiry Hearings

The Inquiry Public Hearings have now concluded. However, submissions can still be made to the inquiry as outlined above.

 

First Hearing

  • The first public hearing was held in Brisbane on 27 February 2024. A copy of the day one Transcript can be downloaded via this link.

Second Hearing

Third Hearing

Fourth Hearing

Fifth Hearing

Sixth Hearing

Seventh Hearing

Eighth Hearing

  • The Inquiry’s eighth phase public hearing was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from Monday 24 March 2025 to Friday 4 April 2025.
  • Copies of the transcripts from this hearing phase are available below:
    • Day Thirty Nine – Monday 24 March 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Forty - Tuesday 25 March 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Forty One - Wednesday 26 March 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Forty Two - Thursday 27 March 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Forty Three - Friday 28 March 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Forty Four - Monday 31 March 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Forty Five - Tuesday 1 April 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Forty Six - Wednesday 2 April 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Forty Seven – Thursday 3 April 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Forty Eight - Friday 3 April 2025 (to be added)

Ninth Hearing

  • The Inquiry’s ninth phase public hearing was held at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre from Monday 28 April 2025 to Friday 9 May. Due to a Public Holiday in Queensland on Monday 5 May, the Inquiry did not sit on this day.
  • Copies of the transcripts from this hearing phase are available below:
    • Day Forty Nine – Monday 28 April 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Fifty - Tuesday 29 April 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Fifty One - Wednesday 30 April 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Fifty Two - Thursday 1 May 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Fifty Three - Friday 2 May 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Fifty Four - Tuesday 6 May 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Fifty Five - Wednesday 7 May 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Fifty Six – Thursday 8 May 2025 (to be added)
    • Day Fifty Seven - Friday 9 May 2025 (to be added)

Links

Contact the Inquiry

Support Services

  • If you need assistance with a health, welfare or financial matter, please reach out to the support services listed here