In this photograph, the port engine of A19-176 has been feathered after the engine was damaged by anti aircraft fire. Tritton & Leckie had strafed targets on Aru Island and were pulling away from the target when hit only 800 feet above ground. Five minutes out from the island, the starboard engine also cut out at 2000 feet. The plane began to lose altitude, but by shaking the plane violently, Tritton was able to clear a fuel blockage.
This happened every five minutes for two and a half hours before they reached the Australian coastline. 

Tritton had been a civil aviator prior to joining the RAAF and had 2000 flying hours to his credit. However, this was the first time he had encountered engine trouble.