Leave it to the Press to get it wrong AGAIN.
The RFDS do have an excellent record, however,unfortunately, this is not the only fatality since 1928.
In the 1950's (1956 I think), a Queen Air belonging to Victorian Section RFDS, with a Pilot named Van Emerick, crashed in the Kimberly region, after departing Tablelands Station. On board were the Pilot, Flight Nurse, a Station Manager and his young Daughter. This tradgedy took place during the Wet season with viloent thunderstorms in the vicinity.
A memorial now stands at the site.
Even with this, the safety record for RFDS is still outstanding given the period over which they have been operating, and the type of work they are sometimes called upon to do.