An investigation into the seaplane crash near Rottnest Island revealed that the decision to fly was made after the pilot inspected the sea conditions from a tender boat. The conditions were considered unsuitable for takeoff initially, but the pilot found a calmer spot near the southern shore of Thomson Bay. The flight departed at 4pm, with the pilot texting that conditions were “rough but OK” just before takeoff. The skipper of the tender boat later rescued two passengers by breaking a rear window of the partially submerged plane.
Survivors of the crash praised the pilot, Troy Wong, for his quick thinking and safety instructions that helped save their lives. Wong had demonstrated how to open the emergency exit before the flight, which proved crucial for the survival of the passengers at the rear of the plane. The deceased passengers were seated towards the front of the aircraft, which was found at the bottom of the sea floor off Rottnest Island. The pilot had requested assistance in closing and latching the left rear door during takeoff from the mainland, which enabled passengers to open the door after the crash.
The survivors reported that the cabin doors were submerged, but the rear windows were not. Four passengers managed to find a pocket of air in the rear cabin and escaped through a broken window with the help of the tender boat skipper. The aircraft remained partially afloat in a perpendicular orientation, with the nose resting on the sea floor. The skipper recalled how the pilot had planned to depart on an easterly track towards Phillip Rock, where the fatal crash occurred.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is conducting a thorough investigation into the crash, including reviewing mobile phone devices, aircraft engine data, weather conditions, the pilot’s procedures and training records, and aircraft maintenance. The Cessna seaplane had been inspected a week before the accident, and a final report will be released by the ATSB after the investigation is complete. The bureau is working to determine the cause of the crash and any contributing factors that led to the tragic incident near Rottnest Island.
The crash site was located near Phillip Rock, where the plane went down shortly after takeoff. The pilot had assessed the sea conditions before departure but encountered rough weather during the flight. The survivors and witnesses recalled the events leading up to the crash, with the tender boat skipper playing a crucial role in rescuing passengers from the partially submerged aircraft. The Connors, a surviving couple, expressed their gratitude for Wong’s safety instructions, which helped them and others escape from the plane after the crash. The investigation into the seaplane crash continues to uncover details surrounding the circumstances that led to the tragedy off the coast of Rottnest Island.
