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:
- Via the on-line submission
- By email to igadf.mrh-90inquiry@defence.gov.au
Inquiry Hearings
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
- The second phase of the Inquiry’s public hearing was held from Monday 29 April 2024 to Friday 3 May 2024.
- Copies of the transcripts from this hearing phase are available below:
- Day two – Monday 29 April 2024.
- Day thee – Tuesday 30 April 2024.
- Day four – Wednesday 1 May 2024.
- Day five – Thursday 2 May 2024.
- Day six – Friday 3 May 2024.
Third Hearing
- The Inquiry’s third phase public hearing was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from Monday 17 June 2024 to Friday 21 June 2024.
- Copies of the transcripts from this hearing phase are available below:
- Day Seven - Monday 17 June 2024
- Day Eight - Tuesday 18 June 2024
- Day Nine - Wednesday 19 June 2024
- Day Ten - Thursday 20 June 2024
- Day Eleven - Friday 21 June 2024
Fourth Hearing
- The Inquiry’s fourth phase public hearing was held at the Rydges Parramatta in Sydney from 5-16 August 2024.
- Copies of the transcripts from this hearing phase are available below:
- Day Twelve - Monday 5 August 2024
- Day Thirteen – Tuesday 6 August 2024
- Day Fourteen – Wednesday 7 August 2024
- Day Fifteen – Thursday 8 August 2024
- Day Sixteen – Friday 9 August 2024
- Day Seventeen – Monday 12 August 2024
- Day Eighteen - Tuesday 13 August 2024
- Day Nineteen – Wednesday 14 August 2024
- Day Twenty – Thursday 15 August 2024
- Day Twenty one - Friday 16 August 2024
Fifth Hearing
- The Inquiry’s fifth phase public hearing will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from Monday 14 October to Friday 18 October. The Hearing will commence at 0930 (AEST) on Monday 14 October and conclude by 1700 (AEST) on Friday 18 October.
- The Hearing will be live streamed on a 5 minute delay.
- The stream can be accessed via the following link: https://live.remo.co/e/inspector-general-of-the-austral-5
- Registration in advance of the hearing commencement is recommended.
- For Defence staff accessing the live stream via DPN, the hearing can be accessed via the following links. Please note, the Defence stream will not be available until day one of the hearing.
- ADF Livestreams DAY 1 - https://virtual-events.com.au/livestream-1
- ADF Livestreams DAY 2 - https://virtual-events.com.au/livestream-2
- ADF Livestreams DAY 3 - https://virtual-events.com.au/livestream-3
- ADF Livestreams DAY 4 - https://virtual-events.com.au/livestream-4
- ADF Livestreams DAY 5 - https://virtual-events.com.au/livestream-5
Sixth Hearing
- The Inquiry’s sixth phase public hearing will be held in Brisbane from 18-22 November 2024. The Hearing will be held at the Pullman, King George Square, Brisbane. Further details will be published soon.
Contact the Inquiry
- Contact with the MRH-90 Inquiry Team is via e-mail to: igadf.mrh-90inquiry@defence.gov.au