Heartbroken partner of seaplane pilot James Wong breaks silence as the two international tourists also killed in the horror crash off Rottnest Island are identified

The grieving partner of a pilot who died when his seaplane crashed into the ocean with six passengers on board has opened up about his “sudden, unexpected and devastating” death.

James Wong, 34, was piloting the Cessna 208 Caravan plane when it crashed into the water near Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth on Tuesday afternoon.

The Perth pilot and two international tourists – Danielle Grundbacher-Mosching, 65, from Switzerland and Torben Poulsen, 60, from Denmark, died in the crash witnessed by dozens of shocked beachgoers.

Their bodies were recovered from the wreckage hours later eight meters below the surface of the water.

Three of the four other passengers who survived were seriously injured and airlifted to hospital, where they remain in stable condition. The other passenger escaped unharmed.

Mr Wong’s shocked partner and colleague, Angela Cloeraine, broke her silence on Thursday to pay tribute.

“He was known for his love of adventure, exceptional knowledge on any subject and his passion for seaplanes – a self-described ‘seaplane tragic’,” she wrote on one GoFundMe page she set up to support his family.

“His signature skinny jeans and peace signs will never be forgotten.

“The loss of James was sudden, unexpected and devastating.

‘That’s why we hope to raise money to support his family and loved ones during this treacherous time.’

The fundraiser reached its original goal of $30,000 within hours.

Originally from Frenchs Forest on Sydney’s northern beaches, Mr Wong was an experienced pilot, according to his LinkedIn bio.

He began his aviation career as an airline pilot for Air Fraser Island in Hervey Bay in 2019, before working for several tour operators in northern Queensland.

He later moved to Washington and joined Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, in the Kimberley region, in March 2023, before heading to Perth to work for Swan River Seaplanes.

His partner Mrs Cloeraine also works as a pilot with Swan River Seaplanes.

A former colleague described Mr Wong’s death as “devastating news for the seaplane community”.

‘Rest in peace James. It was a pleasure knowing you and flying with you,” she wrote.

The heartbreaking tribute comes as a long and painstaking investigation into the horror crash has begun.

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) has begun the recovery and investigation of [the] wreckage from the crash site.

It is estimated that it will take months to understand the cause of the crash.

Bureau investigators are working to determine the plane’s recording equipment, including flight tracking, engine performance data and other onboard devices.

What remains of the plane can be clearly seen in the crystal clear waters of Thomson Bay as it rests poignantly on the seabed.

Once the on-site investigation is complete, the wreckage will be taken to a facility in Perth for further examination.

“During this time, investigators will identify and secure all relevant components for further analysis at the ATSB’s laboratory facilities in Canberra,” the agency’s Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

‘We are also continuing to seek witness statements, particularly from anyone who may have images of the aircraft at any stage of the accident, or in its immediate aftermath.’

Should investigators discover a critical safety issue during their seaplane probe, the agency will notify relevant stakeholders, Mr. Mitchell added.

As well as being part of the complex investigation, Vision will examine engine altitude, aircraft history, maintenance, weather and standard operations over Rottnest Island.

“There’s a whole bunch of things we need to put together to give us a better idea of ​​the flight sequence and what went wrong next,” Mitchell said.

“That will take us time to go through all the evidence.”

He said once investigators had all the evidence — which could take many weeks — they would begin hypothesizing about the cause of the crash and that there could be multiple possible scenarios.

“That will take us some time,” Mr. Mitchell said.

‘We need to get these things in order if we want to make recommendations that have far-reaching consequences.’

He hopes that a preliminary report will be published within two months.

Swan River Seaplanes called Mr Wong a highly valued employee.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of James, a talented and dedicated pilot who was an integral and much-loved member of our team,” director Kristy Bailey said in a statement.

“Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, friends and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

“We are as devastated by the injuries as by the loss of the two passengers on board, and extend our deepest condolences to their families and all who are grieving this unimaginable tragedy.”

The company has suspended operations as a result of the tragedy.

“We will be advised by the authorities and the experts on any action we need to take,” WA Premier Roger Cook said.

‘We have not received any advice at this stage which would indicate that you should suspend the (Swan River seaplanes), although I will note that that is a moot point at this stage because the site at Thomson Bay is being investigated… and Swan River Seaplanes have suspended all services out of respect for the incident.”

The survivors include a 63-year-old Swiss man, a 63-year-old Western Australian man, a 65-year-old Western Australian woman and a 58-year-old Danish woman.

A 200 meter exclusion zone has been established while investigation and recovery work continues.

Some wreckage from the seaplane, which disintegrated during the crash, has been brought ashore.