Fatal Accident (3 fatal; 3 serious; 1 uninjured) – Cessna 208 Caravan 675, VH-WTY, off Rottnest Island, near Thomson Bay, WA, Australia, January 07, 2025
OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
OFFICIAL FINAL REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
SOURCE Report:
On January 7, 2025, a float-equipped Cessna 208 Caravan 675, registered VH-WTY and operated by Swan River Seaplanes, crashed during takeoff from Thomson Bay off Rottnest Island, Western Australia. The aircraft, manufactured in 2016 and powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A engine, carried seven occupants, including the pilot. Reports indicate that shortly after takeoff, the seaplane banked left, causing its wingtip to strike the water surface. The aircraft then nosedived and came to rest in a near-vertical position in the water. Witness accounts describe the plane struggling to lift off, with some speculating that it may have struck Phillip Rock near the bay entrance before losing control.
Emergency services, including WA Police, Rottnest Island Rangers, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, quickly responded to the crash. Civilian vessels nearby also assisted in the rescue efforts, demonstrating exceptional bravery under distressing circumstances. Tragically, three people, including the 34-year-old pilot from Perth, a 65-year-old Swiss woman, and a 60-year-old Danish man, lost their lives. Four other passengers, including the partners of the deceased and a Western Australian couple, were recovered from the wreckage—three with serious injuries and one uninjured. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has initiated an investigation into the accident, which includes examining reports of the aircraft potentially hitting a rock during takeoff.
WA Premier Roger Cook and Police Commissioner Col Blanch praised the swift actions of first responders and members of the public, emphasizing the heroic efforts that undoubtedly saved lives. An exclusion zone remains in place around Thomson Bay as the crash site is secured and debris recovery efforts continue. The investigation will focus on the aircraft’s condition, environmental factors, and pilot performance to determine the cause of the tragedy.
Aircraft Operator:
Swan River Seaplanes
Video(s):
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1E92Randdh/
https://7news.com.au/news/seaplane-crashes-at-rottnest-island-triggering-major-emergency-response-c-17314119
Accident Location:
off Rottnest Island, near Thomson Bay, WA, Australia
31°59’39.03″S 115°33’9.85″E (https://g.co/kgs/UTSC1cY)
ASN:
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/470116
FAA/International Registration:
VH-WTY
Year of Manufacture:
2016
SN/Military Registration/BUNO:
20800586
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1E92Randdh/
X/Twitter (reports+videos):
https://x.com/NZ_Trav/status/1876586357071700213
https://x.com/NZ_Trav/status/1876586371340759240
ADS-B Exchange:
n/a
FlightAware:
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/VHWTY
flightradar24:
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/vh-wty
AirNav.radar:
https://www.airnavradar.com/data/registration/VH-WTY
National Report(s):
https://7news.com.au/news/crashed-rottnest-seaplane-run-by-tour-company-founded-by-troy-thomas-who-died-in-fatal-crash-that-also-killed-teen-c-17319339
https://7news.com.au/news/three-confirmed-dead-in-seaplane-crash-off-rottnest-island-in-western-australia-c-17320428
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-07/rottnest-island-plane-crash/104793466
Local Report(s):
n/a
Image Reference(s):
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8464334
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8459907
https://www.baaa-acro.com/sites/default/files/crash/images/VH-WTY-1.jpg
https://www.baaa-acro.com/sites/default/files/styles/crash_detail_page_image_style_1000x505_/public/crash/images/VH-WTY-2.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ggr5WKua0AEjs0y.jpg
https://x.com/NZ_Trav/status/1876586371340759240
https://www.flightaware.com/photos/view/12188769-46cd5f55fe3193c923b960c4bd41a56f8ad19cdb/aircrafttype/C208
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