A seaplane with five people on board crashed into the waters of the Whitsundays in a terrifying incident during a joy flight.
The DHC-2 Beaver seaplane was flying over the world-famous Whitehaven Beach when the plane entered the water sometime between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Saturday.
The plane is said to have been dumped in the ocean with a pilot and four passengers on board.
A spokesperson for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed it was investigating the incident.
No one on board was injured in the crash.
The pilot is believed to be from the Whitsundays and the passengers are from Sydney. The plane was later towed to the beach Cairns Post reported.
“The ATSB is gathering further information to better understand the circumstances of the accident,” the spokesperson told the newspaper.
It is understood the plane attempted to land on the water near the beach before crashing into the ocean.
The plane was traveling over the world famous Whitehaven Beach when the plane entered the water sometime between 8:30 and 9:00 am on Saturday (photo: stock image)
The incident comes after a 58-year-old man died in Chance Bay, also on Whitsunday Island, on Wednesday.
Emergency services rushed to the beach just before 6pm after reports of a medical emergency.
Paramedics treated the man, but he later died at the scene.
Queensland Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
The plane is said to have attempted to land on the water near the beach before crashing into the ocean (photo: stock image of Whitehaven Beach)