Rottnest Island Seaplane Crash Preliminary Report Highlights Pilot's Wind Concerns and Survival Accounts

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's initial findings reveal the pilot's pre-flight concerns about strong winds and detail the moments leading to the tragic January 7 crash that claimed three lives.

• The January 7 crash involved a Cessna 208 seaplane operated by Swan River Seaplanes, killing the pilot and two international tourists, while four passengers survived.
• The pilot, James Wong, expressed concerns about strong winds in text messages with his boss before the flight but ultimately decided to proceed after assessing calmer conditions near the shore.
• The plane crashed 32 seconds after take-off from Thomson Bay, rolling sharply to the left and clipping the water near Phillip Rock, with its nose resting on the seabed post-impact.
• Survivors credited Wong's pre-flight safety briefing, particularly instructions on emergency exits, as critical to their escape; two passengers were rescued by a passing vessel after onlookers broke a window.
• The ATSB's ongoing investigation will examine weather conditions, pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and engine performance, with a final report yet to be released.

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Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Sydney Morning Herald SBS News