The grieving partner of a pilot killed when his seaplane carrying six passengers crashed into the ocean has opened up about his ‘sudden, unexpected and devastating’ death.
James Wong, 34, was flying the Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft when it plunged into water near Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth shortly after take-off on Tuesday afternoon.
The Perth pilot and two international tourists – Danielle Grundbacher-Mosching, 65, from Switzerland and Torben Poulsen, 60, from Denmark died in the crash witnessed by dozens of shocked beachgoers.
Their bodies were pulled from the wreckage eight metres below the water’s surface hours later.
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 passenger escaped uninjured.
Mr Wong’s shattered partner and colleague Angela Cloeraine broke her silence on Thursday to pay tribute.
‘He was known for his love for adventure, exceptional knowledge on every topic and his passion for seaplanes – a self proclaimed ‘seaplane tragic’,’ she wrote on a GoFundMe page she set up to support his family.
‘His trademark skinny jeans and peace signs will never be forgotten.
Angela Cloeraine (pictured left) has paid a heartfelt tribute to her partner James Wong (right) after he was killed in a horror seaplane crash off Rottnest Island
James Wong’s trademark skinny jeans and peace signs will never be forgotten, his partner wrote
‘The loss of James was sudden, unexpected and devastating.
‘Consequently, we are hoping to raise funds to support his family and loved ones as they navigate this treacherous time.’
The fundraiser reached its $30,000 initial target within hours.
Originally from Frenchs Forest on Sydney’s northern beaches, Mr Wong was an experienced pilot, according to his LinkedIn bio.
He began his aviation career working as a line pilot for Air Fraser Island in Hervey Bay in 2019 before he moved on to work for several scenic flight operators in north Queensland.
He later moved to WA and joined Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, in the Kimberley region, in March 2023 before heading to Perth to work for Swan River Seaplanes.
His partner Ms Cloeraine also works as a pilot at Swan River Seaplanes.
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 heartbreaking tributes come as a long and painstaking investigation commenced into the horror crash.
James Wong (right) and his partner Angela Cloeraine (left) worked for Swan River Seaplanes
Ms Cloeraine (left) paid tribute to her partner’s (right) love of adventure and passion for seaplanes
The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) has started recovery and examination of [the] wreckage from the crash site.
It is estimated understanding the cause of the crash will take months.
Bureau investigators are working to retrieve the plane’s recording devices that involve flight tracking, engine performance data and any other devices onboard.
What remains of the aircraft can be clearly seen in the crystal clear waters of Thomson Bay as it harrowingly rests on the seabed.
Once the on-site examination is finalised, the wreckage will be taken to a Perth facility for further scrutiny.
‘During this time, investigators will identify and secure any relevant components for further analysis at the ATSB’s laboratory facilities in Canberra,’ bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
‘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.’
The heartfelt tributes from friends and loves ones come as a long and painstaking investigation commenced into the horror crash (pictured wreckage from the plane pulled from the sea on Wednesday)
Should investigators discover a critical safety issue during their seaplane probe the bureau will notify relevant stakeholders, Mr Mitchell added.
Not only will vision form part of the complex investigation, it will also probe the engine pitch, the aircraft’s history, maintenance, the weather and standard operations over Rottnest Island.
‘There’s a whole range of things to put together to give us a better idea of that sequence of flight and then what went wrong,’ Mr Mitchell said.
‘That will take us time to go through all the evidence.’
He said once investigators had all the evidence – which could take many weeks – they would begin forming hypotheses of the cause of the crash and there could be multiple possible scenarios.
The ATSB as started recovery and examination of the wreckage from the crash site and it will take the bureau time to determine what may have caused the crash (pictured the seaplane submerged in water at Thompson Bay)
‘That takes some time for us,’ Mr Mitchell said.
‘We need to get these things right if we’re to make recommendations that have far-reaching effects.’
He hopes there will be a preliminary report within two months.
Swan River Seaplanes 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,’ 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.’
The company has suspended its operations in the wake of the tragedy.
‘We’ll be advised by the authorities and the experts in relation to any measures we need to take,’ WA Premier Roger Cook said
‘We haven’t received any advice at this stage that would suggest you do need to suspend (Swan River Seaplanes) although I will observe that that’s a moot point at the moment because the site at Thomson Bay is being investigated … and Swan River Seaplanes have suspended all their services out of respect for the incident.’
The survivors include a 63-year-old Swiss man, a 63-year-old West Australian man, a 65-year-old West Australian woman and a 58-year-old Danish woman.
A 200m exclusion zone is in place while investigations and salvage operations continue.
Some wreckage from the seaplane, which broke up during the crash, has been brought ashore.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk