‘Fly safe’: Mum’s devastating final text before pilot son’s death

The mother of a pilot who was killed along with two international tourists in a horror seaplane crash has revealed her final text hours before the crash.

The mother of a pilot who was killed along with two international tourists in a horror seaplane crash off Rottnest Island has revealed her final text hours before the crash.

James Wong, 34, was piloting the Cessna 208 when it crashed shortly after takeoff on January 7, landing at Thomson Bay at Rottnest Island, about 20km from Perth.

Six people were on-board the aircraft at the time of the crash, including a 65-year-old Swiss woman and a 60-year-old Danish man who were also killed.

Perth couple Jeremy and Patricia Connor – both in their 60s – a 63-year-old man from Switzerland and a 58-year-old woman from Denmark all survived.

In a heartfelt ceremony in Sydney, Mr Wong’s mother, Sandy, revealed she had texted her son one last message just hours before the crash: “fly safe”.

James Wong was killed in a seaplane crash at Rottnest Island. Picture: LinkedIn

She told mourners gathered at the Lotus Pavilion in Macquarie Park Cemetery that her son had “lived a good life” and “made his own opportunities”.

“He achieved what he set out to do, including the long-held dream to fly in seaplanes in Vancouver,” she said.

“We’re grateful for the 34 years we had with James and will miss his smile, his laugh, his intellect … We know that his love will live on in us.”

Mr Wong’s mother recounted her son’s decades-long passion for flying, spurred by the Hayao Miyazaki film Porco Rosso, that took him around the world.

“James’s love of flying began really, really early. He was about three years old when he looked up into the sky and saw a sign writer and said, ‘I want to do that’,” she said.

Mr Wong went on his first solo flight in a glider at 14 or 15 years of age and volunteered to work at a cheetah sanctuary in South Africa among a myriad of other ventures.

Mr Wong’s mother watches as his coffin is taken away. Picture: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Mr Wong was farewelled at Lotus Pavilion at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium. Picture: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Mr Wong’s mother embraces a man after the heartfelt ceremony. Picture: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

His partner, Angela Cloeraine, struck a more sombre tone, telling mourners there were “no words that can make sense of this tragedy”.

“James was my home, my partner, my best friend, my travel buddy, my colleague,” she said.

“I miss your patience, your compassion, goofiness and how you never fail to match my childhood, childish energy.

“I miss flying with you. My last flight was actually with James. We flew together in the seaplane from Sydney to Perth, and boy was it fun.”

Ms Cloeraine shared a Christmas card Mr Wong had written her before his death in which he thanked her for travelling with him to Canada to pursue his flying.

“We've had one hell of a year and I’m glad I was able to share it with you. I’m excited for our next adventures. Smothered with love, James,” the card read.

Fighting back tears, Ms Cloeraine said of the card: “Simple, to the point. Perfect. That was James.

“I love you and I miss you so much”.

Friends who worked with Mr Wong at an Apple store fondly remembered his as someone who “perfectly walked the line between being the best and the absolute worst”.

“It was always equal parts endearing and infuriating,” long-time friend Elka said.

“James was the kind of person who would drop everything at two o’clock in the morning to come and see me if I was upset.

“The whole time I knew James, I knew that he always wanted to be a pilot, and in the end, flying gave him the life that he always wanted.

“He was traveling the world. He met his dream girl at last.

Mr Wong with partner, Angela Cloeraine.

Mr Wong was killed in a plane crash earlier this month.

“After I saw him last in December, I remember walking home thinking about how nice it was to seem so happy.

“More than anything, I wish that happiness had lasted longer.”

Lincoln, who also lived with Mr Wong, recounted his love for cars, snowboarding, and Japan.

Mr Wong was best man at his wedding and a “late-night gaming” companion.

“So today we say goodbye to James, but we also say thank you,” he said.

“Thank you for being my friend, my brother, my teammate. Thank you for your support, your wisdom, and for all the unforgettable memories.”

Mr Wong was an experienced pilot who previously worked as a seaplane pilot at Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures in the Kimberley and Hamilton Island Air.

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

Ms Bailey described Mr Wong as a talented and dedicated pilot who was an integral and deeply cherished member of their team.

Witnesses saw the plane ‘smash’ into the water. Picture: ABC News

“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.

“(We) extend our deepest condolences to their families and all who are grieving this unimaginable tragedy.”

The crash will be investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which will gather evidence, including from the wreckage, and interview survivors.

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

West Australian police said it appeared the plane had hit a rock at the entrance of Thompson Bay.

Anthony Albanese described the crash at the time as “terrible news”.

“The pictures would’ve been seen by all Australians as they have woken up,” the Prime Minister told the ABC.

Mr Wong with partner, Angela Cloeraine.

“My heart goes out to all those involved.”

Witnesses described seeing the plane “smash straight into the water”.

“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.

They described scenes of panic following the crash, with members of the public rushing in boats to assist.

In a statement, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority said Swan River Seaplanes had suspended operations following the crash.

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.

Originally published as ‘Fly safe’: Mum’s devastating final text before pilot son’s death