<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An investigation is underway to determine just how a seaplane crashed near WA's Rottnest Island, </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/rottnest-island-seaplane-crash-three-bodies-recovered-after-wa-seaplane-crash-four-survivors-in-hospital/734aca90-db7b-45c4-a6b8-45755c733d23" rel="" target="_blank" title="killing three people and injuring four"><span>killing three people and injuring four</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The floatplane aircraft carrying seven people, including some tourists, took off from the water and briefly became airborne before it </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/rottnest-island-search-underway-after-sea-plane-crashes/008fd6be-04ec-4876-a080-dc7fae750deb" rel="" target="_blank" title="crashed off Thomson Bay"><span>crashed off Thomson Bay</span></a><span> about 4pm (7pm AEDT) on Tuesday. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Pilot James Wong, 34, and two passengers, a 65-year-old woman from Switzerland and a 60-year-old man from Denmark, were killed.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-stephen-bond-fighting-for-life-following-deadly-mosquito-bite/03ca1e7d-d053-43c9-ae26-d418286ca849" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>'Unimaginable': Victorian man left fighting for life after mosquito bite</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>"</span></strong><span>We've lost a local, a pilot, and obviously we've lost some people who were here on a holiday seeing this amazing part of the world," Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King said. </span><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The remaining four passengers were injured; a 58-year-old woman from Denmark, a 63-year-old man from Western Australia, a 63-year-old man from Switzerland and a 65-year-old man from Western Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Today, Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators began collecting evidence from the crash site and examining the wreckage.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/wa-rottnest-island-seaplane-crash-investigation/111a149d-9c75-4683-a837-7feb07bf9072" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"In particular, investigators are seeking to recover and preserve any recorded data onboard the aircraft, including flight tracking and engine performance data, and any mobile phones or other devices," ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/los-angeles-fires-2025-live-updates/e49ede15-05b5-45af-913d-c400decd05d5" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Iconic Hollywood strip in firing line as new blaze breaks out</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The wreckage will be taken to a facility in Perth for further examination. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We also continue to seek reports from witnesses, in particular anyone who may have footage of the aircraft at any stage of the accident sequence, or in the immediate aftermath," Mitchell said. Northern Australia</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Swan River Seaplanes Director Kristy Bailey, who owns the Cessna 208 floatplane that crashed, confirmed services have been paused as her team works with authorities in their investigation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our deepest and sincere condolences are with their families and friends," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/la-fires-sad-images-capture-the-true-extent-of-damage/fc5c8a03-365e-4823-afa5-59089ef85e7a" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Before and after photos expose the extent of the devastating LA wildfires</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The ATSB will deliver factual information gathered during the evidence-collection phase of the investigation in a preliminary report before releasing its safety analysis and findings in a final report.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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