The 34-year-old pilot who died in a horrific seaplane crash in front of holidaymakers at Rottnest Island on Tuesday is the second with the small West Australian aviation company to lose his life in a flying tragedy.
On Wednesday, WA Premier Roger Cook confirmed three victims’ bodies were recovered from the Swan River Seaplanes wreckage, including male pilot James Wong, a female Swiss tourist, 65, and a Danish male tourist, 60.
Swan River Seaplanes pilot James Wong (top) died when his seaplane crashed off Rottnest. Company co-founder Troy Thomas died in an aviation accident in 2020.Credit: Composite: Cameron Myles/ Swan River Seaplanes
As the tragic details that led to the crash unfold, memories of the state’s previous deadly crashes have resurfaced, including the July 2020 helicopter crash that killed Swan River Seaplanes co-founder Troy Thomas.
Thomas and 12-year-old Amber Millar died when the Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Raven I helicopter he was piloting crashed shortly after take-off in Broome.
His daughter Mia and family friend Maddison Down, also on board, were seriously injured but survived.
Thomas co-founded Swan River Seaplanes along with tourism and aviation professionals, Kristy Bailey and Dean Kingi in 2017.
Speaking with 9News Perth on Wednesday, Bailey said the company was heartbroken and working with authorities to piece together what happened.
“We have staff on the ground, over on Rottnest Island or in boats so we knew immediately [after the incident], and have been working tirelessly to help with the situation and assist authorities at this point,” she said.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of James, a talented and dedicated pilot who was an integral and deeply cherished member of our team.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Bailey said the company’s priority is always their passengers and staff, as she paid tribute to the two tourists who lost their lives in the tragedy.
“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,” she said.
Bailey added that Swan River Seaplanes had “a 100 per cent safety record until the tragic incident yesterday”.
The Cessna 208 Caravan 675, registration VH-WTY, is the second aircraft in the Swan River Seaplane fleet – its first flights in WA beginning only a week ago at the start of the new year.
James Wong was flying the Cessna 208 Caravan 675, the second aircraft in the Swan River Seaplane fleet, when it crashed at Rottnest Island.Credit: Facebook
According to its website, Swan River Seaplanes is a “small, family orientated team” and the only aviation operator departing Perth city offering a range of scenic flights in Perth, and Rottnest flights, as well as a number of south-west experiences.
Swan River Seaplanes has strong links to the state government, with its tourism agency spruiking the aviation services and Bailey having been appointed Tourism WA commissioner in May.
Premier Roger Cook told media no-one in government had spoken to Bailey in the wake of the incident, and maintained his focus was on the investigation into the distressing incident.
“This is very early days,” he said.
“We continue to be advised by the police in terms of their early investigation, and obviously, we’ll have an opportunity to be briefed by the Department of Transport, by the Rottnest Island Authority, and in relation to any issues associated with this event.”
Asked if the government would consider removing company advertising on its agency’s platforms, Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said the government would await further advice from the experts conducting the probe.
WA’s history of aviation tragedies
Perhaps one of the most memorable air disaster in Perth – due to it taking place in front of thousands of people – was the Australia Day 2017 airshow crash which killed experienced pilot Peter Lynch, 52, and his Indonesian partner Endah Cakrawati, 30.
The pair were killed when Lynch’s Grumman G-73 Mallard flying boat stalled during a positioning turn and broke up on the Swan River in front of horrified families.
More recently, 73-year-old Simon Carrell died after his former Royal Canadian Air Force VH-POR de Havilland Chipmunk crash-landed at Jandakot airport shortly after take off on April 26, 2024.
A year prior, WA experienced its first Boeing 737 crash.
On February 6, 2023, the Boeing 737 water tanker crashed while dropping fire retardant on a bushfire in the Fitzgerald River National Park, 460 kilometres south-east of Perth.
The crash led to a recommendation by Australia’s air safety watchdog for minimum drop heights for water bombers.
The two pilots onboard walked away with only minor injuries.
Later that same year, the pilot and sole occupant of a light aircraft received a broken nose when he crashed on private property in Brookton, WA.
Read more:
Satterley’s 110-year green tick to clear trees for Perth Hills estate