The pilot who died after the seaplane he was flying with six passengers on board crashed into the ocean at a popular tourist spot has been identified.
The Cessna 208 operated by Swan River Seaplanes crashed into the water near Thompson Bay on Rottnest Island, 19km off the coast of Perth, on Tuesday afternoon.
Pilot James Wong, 34, and two international tourists – a woman, 65, from Switzerland and a man from Denmark, died in the crash witnessed by dozens of shocked beachgoers.
The victims were recovered from the underwater wreck by police divers on Tuesday evening.
Three of the four other passengers who survived were seriously injured and airlifted to hospital, where they remain in stable condition. The other escaped unharmed.
Originally from Frenchs Forest on Sydney’s northern beaches, Mr Wong was an experienced pilot, according to his LinkedIn bio.
His aviation career began in June 2019 as an airline pilot for Air Fraser Island in Hervey Bay.
He then went on to work for several tour operators in north Queensland, including Air Whitsunday Seaplanes and Hamilton Island Air.
James Wong, 34, (pictured) died Tuesday afternoon when the privately owned Cessna 208 crashed into the water near Thompson Bay on Rottnest Island
In March 2023 he moved to the other side of the country to join Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures in WA’s Kimberley region, before later heading to Perth to work for Swan River Seaplanes.
The company has since praised Mr Wong as 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,” Kristy Bailey, managing director of Swan River Seaplanes, 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.”
Mr Wong also enjoyed the outdoors, with photos from an Instagram page showing him rock climbing and visiting beaches and coastal locations with friends.
A photo shows him flying a seaplane at an unknown location.
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 two international tourists who died were on holiday with their partners.
Earlier today, the wreckage of the Swan River Seaplane-operated aircraft was recovered from the water (photo)
It comes as more wreckage from the plane was recovered from the water on Wednesday to be examined forensically.
Investigators recovered two parts of the plane, including the pontoon, which was located several miles away from the crash site. WA Today reported.
The four passengers who survived include a 63-year-old Swiss man, a 58-year-old Danish woman and a Western Australian couple in their 60s.
Shocked tourists on Rottnest Island on Tuesday described the moment the plane crashed and the chaotic scenes that followed.
The plane’s wingtip struck the water before the plane plunged nose first into the ocean at Phillip Rock at the entrance to Thompson Bay.
A shocking video showed the Cessna 208 struggling to take off just before the crash.
Other onlookers reported seeing the plane move back and forth just before the left wing hit the water.
“It took forever to get out of the water but towards the end it just didn’t look (right),” Anna Connolly said Seven news.
“We had a feeling, everyone thought something was wrong, it didn’t look good at all.”
Police are working with the passengers, who survived the crash, to understand why the plane nosedived shortly after takeoff.
James Wong (pictured) was originally from Sydney’s Northern Beaches and was an experienced pilot
Shocked tourists described the devastating scenes following the crash (pictured) after the plane plunged nose first into the ocean
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched a separate investigation into the crash.
‘Investigators will also seek to interview those on board, and any other witnesses and involved parties, and collect relevant recorded information, including available flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance data, and weather information.’
Authorities are still working to remove all the debris from the water.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said parts of the wreckage were still submerged eight meters below the ocean’s surface.
A 200-metre exclusion zone has been established around the crash site and will remain in force until the submerged wreckage can be recovered.