The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released details from an initial report on a deadly seaplane crash in Western Australia which occurred in January 2025. 

The preliminary report, published on February 27, 2025, describes events on Rottnest Island leading up to the accident on January 7, 2025, when a private seaplane crashed into the water while trying to take off near the Australian island.

The aircraft involved was a Cessna 208 Caravan Amphibian floatplane, registered VH-WTY and operated by Swan River Seaplanes. It was carrying a pilot and 10 passengers on a flight from South Perth to Rottnest Island, landing in the water at Thomson Bay.  

According to the initial report from the ATSB, the take-off commenced at about 16:00 local time, heading east towards Phillip Rock, a rocky outcrop at the southern end of Thomson Bay. About 32 seconds into the take-off and 600 meters from the start, the aircraft became airborne with a high nose attitude, before it rolled rapidly to the left and impacted the water. Three people on board, the pilot plus two passengers, were fatally injured. 

Immediately after the collision, the aircraft remained partially afloat. Four surviving passengers moved into a small pocket of air in the rear of the cabin. One passenger opened the top part of the rear right door, through which they and one other passenger escaped, according to the report. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *