Sea plane crashes into waters off Whitehaven Beach

A sea plane carrying five people has crashed into waters in the Whitsundays on Saturday. DETAILS.

Aerial view of Whitehaven Beach

The transport safety regulator is investigating after a sea plane holding five people crashed into waters off world-famous Whitehaven Beach during a joyflight over the area.

The incident occurred sometime between 8.30 and 9am Saturday.

It is understood the plane may have been attempting a water landing when it “ditched into the ocean” with five people, a pilot and four passengers, on board.

Initial information indicates it was a commercial, passenger carrying flight.

A Whitsunday Air Services plane crashed into waters off world-famous Whitehaven Beach with five people, a pilot and four passengers, on board. Picture supplied by Island FM Whitsundays

It is understood the pilot is from the Whitsundays and the four passengers were from Sydney.

The plane, owned and operated by Whitsunday Island Air Services was towed to Whitehaven Beach.

It is understood no one on the plane suffered serious injuries and everyone was taken to Hamilton Island.

The plane’s identification number, seen on photos posted by Island FM Whitsundays on its Facebook page, matches photos on a plane enthusiast website which notes Whitsunday Air Services, the owner of Hamilton Island Air, was operating it at the time.

Hamilton Island Air was contacted multiple times by this publication, and did not respond.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed an incident “involving a DHC-2 Beaver floatplane during landing on the water off Whitehaven Beach” had been reported.

“No injuries to the passengers and pilot were reported,” an ATSB spokesman said.

“The ATSB is gathering further information to better understand the circumstances of the accident”.

A Whitsunday Air Services plane crashed into waters off world-famous Whitehaven Beach with five people, a pilot and four passengers, on board. Picture supplied by Island FM Whitsundays

This comes three days after a Sunshine Coast man died on a beach on the opposite side of Whitsunday Island, which is also home to the world-renowned Whitehaven beach.

Emergency crews were called to Chance Bay where a 58-year-old man suffered a life-threatening medical event just before 6pm on October 23.

Paramedics were in the process of treating the man when he tragically died.

More to come.

Originally published as Sea plane crashes into waters off Whitehaven Beach