Royal Australian Army NH90 (TTH) Crash

An Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan crashed into the sea near Hamilton Island, off the Queensland coast, during a nighttime activity in Exercise Talisman Sabre. The helicopter was flying in formation, low over water and on night-vision devices, when it struck the sea; Defence confirmed that all four crew members aboard were killed. The department suspended MRH-90 flying and coordinated an extensive recovery effort with allied forces taking part in the exercise. The accident preceded the government's decision to withdraw the MRH-90 fleet early and accelerate its replacement by the UH-60M Black Hawk.