Bodies of pilot, two tourists recovered after seaplane crash off Rottnest Island, WA

The pilot killed alongside two passengers in a seaplane crash off Western Australia’s popular tourist destination of Rottnest Island has been identified.

The pilot who was killed in the Rottnest Island seaplane crash, along with two international tourists, has been identified as James Wong.

The experienced seaplane pilot previously worked for Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures in the Kimberley, Hamilton Island Air and Air Whitsunday Seaplanes in Queensland.

Six passengers were on-board the fatal flight that crashed shortly after take off on Tuesday, landing in Thomson Bay about 20km from Perth’s coastline.

Two passengers on-board the Cessna 208 – a 65-year-old Swiss woman and a 60-year-old Danish man – were also killed.

James Wong has been identified as the pilot who was killed in the Rottnest Island seaplane crash. Picture: LinkedIn

A man and woman aged in their 60s from WA survived the crash, along with a 63-year-old man from Switzerland and a 58-year-old woman from Denmark.

In a statement to media, Swan River Seaplanes director Kristy Bailey said they were heartbroken by the tragic loss of Mr Wong.

Ms Bailey said he was a talented and dedicated pilot who was an integral and deeply cherished member of their team.

“Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” she said.

“We are equally devastated by those injured and the loss of the two passengers on board, and extend our deepest condolences to their families and all who are grieving this unimaginable tragedy.”

WA Premier Roger Cook told reporters the bodies of the three deceased were recovered from the wreckage by Water Police divers on Tuesday night.

“My thoughts go out to the families and friends of the victims,” he said.

The seaplane crashed into water at Rottnest Island, triggering a major emergency response on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: ABC News

Three people were killed in the crash, and another four were pulled from the water by rescue boats shortly after the crash. Picture: ABC News

Mr Cook said the tragedy occurred in front of tourists, families and children who were on Rottnest Island during the summer holidays.

“Every Western Australian knows that Rottnest Island is our premier tourist destination,” he said.

“For something so tragic to happen in front of so many people at a place that provides so much joy, especially at this time of year, is deeply upsetting.”

Premier Roger Cook confirmed three people lost their lives in the Rottnest Island seaplane crash on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire

WA Police said four others were rescued and taken to hospital.

The surviving passengers included a 63-year-old man from Switzerland, a 58-year-old woman from Denmark, a 63-year old man and 65-year-old woman from Western Australia.

Their injuries ranged from very minor injuries to a very serious hand injury, police said.

Water Police and civilian vessels rushed to the scene to help with the rescue.

Anthony Albanese said his thoughts were with those involved in the incident while speaking on the ABC on Wednesday morning.

“This is terrible news,” the Prime Minister said.

“The pictures would’ve been seen by all Australians as they have woken up. My heart goes out to all those involved.”

Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said a transport safety investigation into the incident had begun.

“As reported to the ATSB, during takeoff the floatplane collided with the water before coming to rest partially submerged,” Mr Mitchell said.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said a safety investigation had begun. Picture: Jason Edwards

“The ATSB will deploy a team of transport safety investigators from its Perth, Brisbane and Canberra offices, specialising in aircraft operations and maintenance, and human factors.

“Investigators will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities, including site and wreckage examination, and recovery of any aircraft components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra.”

Mr Mitchell said investigators would interview those on-board the Cessna 208 floatplane as well as any witnesses and other people involved.

Flight tracking data, pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information will also be collected by investigators.

The ATSB has urged anyone with information or footage to come forward.

“The ATSB asks anyone who may have witnessed or has photos or video footage of the aircraft at any phase of the flight, or in the immediate aftermath of the accident, to make contact via the witness form on our website,” Mr Mitchell said.

Police Commissioner Col Blanch told reporters multiple agencies and members of the public assisted in saving lives following the seaplane crash off Rottnest Island. Picture: NewsWire

Reading a statement about four hours after the crash, the WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said “four people have been recovered from the water.”

Mr Blanch said it appeared the plane hit a rock at the entrance to Thompson Bay.

“I do want to reassure the community that we have significant resources on the scene and we are doing everything that we can,” he said.

“There have been a number of members of the public who did not hesitate to assist, and I do thank them for their efforts.”

Thompson Bay at Rottnest Island, WA. Pictures: Google

A person is carried to an ambulance after a seaplane has crashed into water at Rottnest Island, triggering a major emergency response off the Perth coast. Picture: ABC News

Witnesses have described the moment the plane hit the water.

“It just smashed straight into the water – for myself, it’s obviously like a sort of drop in the heart,” one witness told Nine News.

“We saw the plane tail sticking out, and yeah, it was pretty shocking,” another said.

“All of these police boats, sirens go off and they’re like zooming out,” added another.

“There’s probably three or four boats. We saw this boat just speed into the jetty and we’re like, what? And I think the pilot was on it.”

Tourist Greg Quin earlier told the ABC he saw the plane take off then crash before members of the public rushed to help.

“We were watching the seaplane take off and just as it was beginning to get off the water, it just tipped over and it crashed,” he told the ABC.

“It was a complete shock.

“A lot of people in the water on their boats rushed to the scene and I think got there really, really quickly which was just amazing.

“But it very quickly got caught up in the wind and the current and began drifting away.”

“It was pretty scary to see, there is a lot of people in the area quite worried and not quite sure what’s going on.”

The seaplane crashed after taking off from Rottnest Island on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: Supplied.

A rescue helicopter has flown from the state's southwest to Rottnest. Picture: Supplied

Swan River Sea Planes brought the Cessna 208 involved in the crash to WA from Queensland business Whitsunday Air Services a week ago.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority said Swan River Seaplanes had suspended operations following Tuesday’s crash.

“Our deepest condolences go out to all involved in this tragic accident and we stand ready to assist the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in its investigation,” a CASA spokesman said.

“The operator has currently ceased operations and we are working with them to gather further information.” 

Swan River Seaplane founders Dean Kingi and Kristy Bailey issued a statement saying they were heartbroken by the tragic loss of their talented and dedicated pilot James Wong. Picture: Facebook

The highly awarded tourism business registered as Aeroplane Pty Ltd was founded in 2017 by Troy Thomas, Kristy Bailey and Dean Kingi.

Ms Bailey is a Tourism WA commissioner and served as a Tourism Council of WA board director from 2017 to 2024.

Mr Thomas was killed in a helicopter crash he was piloting that also claimed the life a 12-year-old girl and seriously injured his daughter.

“Troy tragically passed away in 2020, but Kristy, Dean and their team have continued to build on his legacy, expanding the company’s range of scenic flights and tour packages to further showcase WA as a world-class tourist destination,” Swan River Seaplanes says on its website.

Originally published as Bodies of pilot, two tourists recovered after seaplane crash off Rottnest Island, WA