Rottnest seaplane crash: Interim report into deadly crash reveals warning horn may have been turned off

A stall warning horn may have been turned off before the deadly Rottnest Island seaplane crash, an interim report has revealed, as investigators continue to probe the “crashworthiness” of the aircraft and the pilot’s decision to change course. Pilot James Wong, aged 34, and two tourists, Torben Poulsen and Danielle Grundbacher-Mosching, were killed in the crash off Rottnest in January. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found the Cessna 208 Caravan floatplane hit swell and pitched into the water during an attempted take-off from Thomson Bay. “Due to strong winds, the pilot had surveyed the operator’s normal take-off area in the middle of Thomson Bay twice on the afternoon of the accident,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. “Considering the conditions to be unsuitable along the normal southerly track, the pilot instead opted for an easterly take-off, closer to shore where they perceived the swell was not as bad. “The aircraft accelerated along the water in a strong crosswind and a light tailwind, and as it passed Phillip Rock, it encountered sea swell and chop.” The seaplane struck the water at a speed of 57 knots. A coroner confirmed the pilot and a front seat passenger drowned. The cause of death for the second passenger was drowning, due to a head injury. An interim report published on Friday report noted that Caravan pilots have reported false alarms from a stall warning system during water take-offs, that has led to the warning system being disconnected. “Video recorded by a passenger on board VH-WTY recorded sound within the cabin as the aircraft approached Philip Rock and became airborne,” the report said. “No stall warning horn was captured on the footage. The stall warning circuit breaker was found in the out (power off) position after the accident.” Final findings are not expected until the second half of next year. “The investigation is considering the crashworthiness of the Cessna Caravan aircraft and the suitability of the manufacturer and operator’s emergency equipment and procedures for accidents involving immersion in water,” Mr Mitchell said. “While the investigation is interested to understand the role of the pilot’s actions and decision-making on the accident, the procedures and other risk controls used by Swan River Seaplanes for operations in the Thomson Bay area are also an area of focus. “The investigation will also consider the operator’s identification and assessment of Thomson Bay for floatplane operations, and its operational oversight practices.”