Experienced pilot James Wong killed alongside two international tourists after seaplane crashed into the ocean off Rottnest Island

The pilot who was killed after the seaplane he was flying with six passengers on board crashed into the ocean at a popular tourist spot has been identified. 

The Swan River Seaplanes-run Cessna 208 plunged into the water near Thompson Bay on Rottnest Island, 19km off the coast of Perth, shortly after take-off 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 submerged wreckage by police divers on Tuesday night.

Three of the four other passengers who survived suffered serious injuries and were airlifted to hospital, where they remain in a stable condition. The other escaped uninjured.

Originally from Frenchs Forest on Sydney’s northern beaches, Mr Wong was an experienced pilot, according to his LinkedIn bio.

His aviation career began as a line pilot for Air Fraser Island in Hervey Bay in June 2019.

He moved on to work for several scenic flight operators in north Queensland including Air Whitsunday Seaplanes and Hamilton Island Air.

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 hailed Mr Wong as a much valued employee.

‘We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of James, a talented and dedicated pilot who was an integral and deeply cherished member of our team,’ Swan River Seaplanes director Kristy Bailey said in a statement.

‘Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

‘We are equally devastated by those injured and 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 loved the outdoors with photos of Instagram page show him rock climbing and visiting beaches and coastal locations with friends. 

A photo shows him flying a seaplane at an unknown location.  

A former co-worker described Mr Wong’s death as ‘devastating news for the seaplane community’.

‘Rest easy James. Was a pleasure to have known and flown with you,’ she wrote.

The two international tourists killed were holidaying with their partners.

It comes as more wreckage from the plane was recovered from the water on Wednesday to be forensically examined.

Investigators recovered two parts of the plane including the pontoon, which was found several kilometres 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 couple from Western Australia in their 60s.

Shocked tourists at Rottnest Island on Tuesday described the moment the plane crashed and the chaotic scenes that followed.

The wingtip of the aircraft hit the water before the plane dived nose-first into the ocean at Phillip Rock at the entrance of Thompson Bay.

A confronting video showed the Cessna 208 struggling to take-off moments before the crash.

Other onlookers reported seeing the plane moving from side to side moments before the left wing hit the water.

‘It took ages to get off the water but then right towards the end it just really didn’t look (good),’ Anna Connolly told Seven News.

‘We had a feeling, everyone thought something was wrong, it didn’t look very good at all.’

Police are working with the passengers, who survived the crash, to understand why the plane nosedived just moments after take-off.

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 records, and weather information.’ 

Authorities are still working to recover all the debris from the water. 

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said there were still parts of the wreckage submerged eight metres below the ocean’s surface. 

A 200-metre exclusion zone has been established around the crash site and will remain in place until the submerged wreckage can be recovered.