Colin Richard Forman was born in 1953 in the United Kingdom. He migrated alone to Australia in the early 1970s. Initially, he worked as a tram driver for the Melbourne Metropolitan Tramways Board. In 1974, he attempted to forge a Qantas airline ticket to return to England, but the forgery was detected, and he was convicted.

Forman had a strong passion for aviation. In November 1975, he earned a commercial pilot's license, topping his class at the Nationwide Aviation Space Academy in Cessnock, New South Wales. In January 1976, he began working for Connellan Airways (Connair) in Alice Springs. However, after seven weeks, he was dismissed when the company learned of his prior forgery conviction.

Subsequently, Forman secured a position with Ord Air Charter in Wyndham, Western Australia, but was terminated after two months due to complaints about his flying. He then moved to Mount Isa, Queensland, where he flew occasional charter flights and joined the Mount Isa Aero Club. In late 1976, he expressed to a fellow club member that if he didn't secure employment by Christmas, "you and the world will know about it."

On January 5, 1977, Colin Richard Forman executed a meticulously planned suicide attack at Alice Springs Airport in the Northern Territory of Australia. Early that morning, he stole a Beechcraft 58 Baron aircraft (registration VH-ENA) from Wyndham Airport. Before departing, Forman had prepared his pilot's logbook, titling the final entry "Suicide Mission," and detailing his intent to "kill and maim as many employees of Connair Pty Ltd as possible."

Forman flew approximately four hours to Alice Springs, aiming to crash the plane into the Connair complex during the company's morning break at 10:00 AM. However, he failed to account for the 1.5-hour time difference between Western Australia and the Northern Territory, arriving at 11:00 AM instead. As he approached the airport, Forman broadcast a final message: "It is better to die with honour than live without it – Echo – November – Alpha."

He then directed the aircraft into the Connair building, resulting in a devastating explosion. Forman and three others were killed instantly, including Roger Connellan, the son of the airline's founder. A secretary, Liana Nappi, suffered severe burns and succumbed to her injuries five days later. Four additional Connair employees were injured in the attack.

Investigations revealed that Forman had meticulously planned the attack, leaving behind letters addressed to the Department of Transport, explaining his motivations and detailing his grievances against Connair. The incident, known as the Connellan air disaster, remains one of only two aircraft suicide attacks in Australia's history.