	At 7:50 am on 18 January 1939, a Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra of Guinea Airways (predecessor of Airlines of South Australia) struck trees and crashed into the Katherine River during take-off from the airfield, killing all four on board including three pilots and a Civil Aviation Department inspector. The aircraft was operating a scheduled flight to Adelaide. Dr Clyde Fenton was among the medical responders at the crash site.