PERTH- A tragic seaplane crash off Rottnest Island, Australia claimed three lives, including international tourists from Switzerland and Denmark. A Cessna 208 Caravan crashed during takeoff on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident, involving a Swan River Seaplane, left three other passengers injured and one unharmed, prompting immediate emergency response and investigation into the cause of the crash.
Photo: X user | TurbinetravelerSeaplane Crash in Australia
The accident took place on 7 January 2025, Tuesday afternoon as the seaplane was departing Rottnest Island, also known by its Indigenous name, Wadjemup.
The aircraft was en route to its base in Perth, Western Australia’s capital, located approximately 30 kilometers east of the island.
The crash resulted in the deaths of three passengers. A 65-year-old Swiss woman, a 60-year-old Danish man, and the 34-year-old pilot, who was from Perth.
Among the survivors were the Swiss woman’s 63-year-old partner, the Danish man’s 58-year-old partner, and an Australian couple aged 65 and 63.
Western Australian Police Commissioner Col Blanch confirmed that no survivor sustained life-threatening injuries. However, three of the injured were transported to a Perth hospital for treatment.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the plane may have struck a rock at the entrance of a bay on the island’s west side.
However, Western Australian Premier Roger Cook emphasized that these details could not be confirmed from the video evidence reviewed thus far.
#BREAKING:Seaplane Plunges into Bay Off Rottnest Island: Shocking Video Captures Crash Moments
Confronting footage has emerged of a seaplane crashing into the water near Rottnest Island,Australia shortly after take-off on Tuesday afternoon.
The video shows the plane veering… pic.twitter.com/ml3ZPgZSCW
— Antony Ochieng,KE (@Turbinetraveler) January 7, 2025
The seaplane, a Cessna 208 Caravan, is commonly used for tourism and short-haul flights. It was owned and operated by Swan River Seaplanes, a company known for scenic aerial tours in the region.
Photo: Swan River SeaplanesAustralian PM Remarks
Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, highlighting its impact on both the local community and the broader public.
“The pictures would have been seen by all Australians as they woke up this morning,” Albanese told ABC television. “My heart goes out to all those involved.”
The tragedy has drawn attention to aviation safety standards in tourism-heavy regions, particularly in operations involving smaller aircraft.
Photo: By Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120894241Similar Incident
In a similar incident, a seaplane collision in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour near Stanley Park resulted in two people being hospitalized, officials confirmed.
The incident occurred on a Saturday afternoon when a Harbour Air seaplane collided with a pleasure boat around 1 p.m. PT.
Rescue boats quickly arrived at the scene near Brockton Point, where the plane was found submerged in the water.
According to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), several individuals from both the seaplane and the boat sustained injuries, with two people requiring hospitalization.
Assistant Chief Jarret Gray from Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services confirmed on Sunday morning that the injured individuals were aboard the boat.
The plane was secured underwater to a barge at the Main Street Dock as the investigation continued.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
Jeju Air Plane Crash Black Box Voice Recorder Data Recovered
The post Three People Died in Seaplane Crash Off Rottnest Island, Australia appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
