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

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

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

Eighth Hearing

  • The Inquiry’s eighth phase public hearing will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from Monday 24 March 2025 to Friday 4 April 2025.
  • To access the live stream for the event, please use the following links:
  • ADF STAFF LIVE STREAMS (DPN Link: https://virtual-events.com.au/livestream-1 please note this link will not be active until the day of the hearing)
    • NOTE - All hearing days of streaming are found in the navigation tab.

Ninth Hearing

  • The Inquiry’s ninth phase public hearing will be held in Brisbane commencing on Monday 28 April 2025.
  • Further details will be provided closer to the Hearing date.

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