Passenger may have accidentally knocked out pilot before fatal Sydney Seaplanes crash

A NEW theory has been proposed as to why a doomed Sydney Seaplane plummeted into the Hawkesbury River, killing six people.

THE fatal crash of a Sydney Seaplane that killed six people on New Year’s Eve last year may have been caused by a passenger accidentally knocking out the pilot, the company’s new part-owner has suggested.

The de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver floatplane flew dramatically off course, despite clear conditions, and nosedived into the Hawkesbury River north of Sydney, killing the pilot and five members of a British family.

Hotelier Jerry Schwartz, who recently joined Sydney Seaplanes as a partner, told The Australian the fatal crash, which is being investigated by authorities, may have been caused by an in-flight accident involving the front-seat passenger.

“The investigation has shown that safety is good and it’s actually believed to not be pilot error,” Mr Schwartz said.

“The current belief is the passenger at the front actually knocked out the pilot.”

Attempted rescue of the Sydney Seaplanes flight. Picture: Todd Sellars

Richard Cousins and his fiancee Emma Bowden both died in the New Year's Eve plane crash. Picture: Supplied

The Australian reported the passenger may have accidentally struck the pilot in the head while moving his arm to take photos of the Hawkesbury River.

Sydney Seaplanes managing director Aaron Shaw previously suggested pilot incapacitation was a reason for the plane’s sudden right-hand turn off the planned route.

“Something definitely happened to the pilot to incapacitate him,” Mr Shaw told The ­Australian.

A report into the crash is due to be handed down by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau next year.

Gareth Morgan has been described as an experienced seaplane pilot. Picture: Facebook

Sydney Seaplanes resumed flying in January after the fatal crash. Picture: Dylan Robinson

A preliminary report by the ATSB found there were no obvious mechanical defects or fuel contamination on the aircraft, which was up-to-date with maintenance checks and flown by a well-qualified pilot, Canadian-born Gareth Morgan, 44.

The Australian reports the NSW Coroner is likely to hold an inquest when the ATSB completes its final report.

Along with the pilot, the crash claimed the lives of British passengers Richard Cousins, 58, his fiancee Emma Bowden, 48, her 11-year-old daughter Heather and Mr Cousins’s sons William, 25, and Edward, 23.

The family were on a “fly-dine” sightseeing trip and heading to Rose Bay in Sydney Harbour when the plane made a sharp turn and plummeted straight into the water in the suburb of Cowan.

A coronial inquest may also be held in the UK.

Earlier this year, it was determined the passengers died from head injuries or drowning or a combination of both. The pilot’s cause of death has not been released.