Horrifying moment seaplane crashes into the ocean as frantic search continues for three occupants missing

Harrowing footage has emerged of a seaplane crashing into the sea near a popular tourist spot shortly after take-off in front of shocked beachgoers.

A pilot and six passengers were on board when the privately-owned Cessna 208 plunged into the water near Thompson Bay at Rottnest Island, 19km off the coast of Perth on Tuesday afternoon.

A major search and rescue operation continued late into the night for three people who remain missing.

Confronting footage filmed by onlookers showed the Swan River Seaplane-run plane struggling to take-off before taking a sharp dip to the left.

The wingtip hit the water before the plane dived nose-first into the ocean at Phillip Rock at the entrance of Thompson Bay as tourists on Rottnest Island reacted in horror.

‘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.’

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

The aircraft (pictured) plunged into the water near Thompson Bay off Rottnest Island about 4pm on Tuesday

Two women aged in their 40s and a third passenger were airlifted to Perth’s Fiona Stanley Hospital with serious injuries but are reported to be in a stable condition. A fourth survivor was also injured.

It’s understood some of the passengers were tourists holidaying from interstate, The West Australian reported.

Parts of the wreckage were recovered and towed to a jetty on the island on Tuesday night. 

‘I do want to reassure the community that we have significant resources on the scene and we are doing everything that we can,’ WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said. 

West Australian Premier Roger Cook spent the night being briefed by authorities about the ongoing search and rescue efforts. 

An aerial search for the three people unaccounted for will resume on Wednesday morning.

‘The images we are seeing of an emergency unfolding off Rottnest Island are deeply concerning,’ the premier posted on X.

‘My thoughts are with all those affected, and I want to thank our first responders who are attending to the crash site.’ 

It’s not yet known why the plane crashed. 

Four survivors were rescued from the ocean after the seaplane crash. Pictured is the wreckage 

Witnesses noticed the plane moving side to side before the left wing (pictured centre) hit the water

Shocked witnesses described the scenes as chaotic.

‘I saw two injured people. One guy was limping. He needed support to get off the boat. He would have been in his late 30s maybe,’ Elisa Meazzi told Perth Now.

‘Then a woman in her 50s. Then one in her 20s.’ 

Hayden Harvey told The West Australian: ‘We saw the plane go down, just as it was about to collide with the water.’

‘It was probably about 300m offshore. It was just a big splash, it wasn’t a big explosion or anything crazy.’

Another man recalled a lot of police sirens.

‘I thought it was a shark attack or something,’ he said.

Another witness heard the sounds of police and emergency service vehicles and saw water police surrounding the wreckage.

‘We didn’t know what had happened because we were on the other side of the island, so we drove past and then we saw these helicopters and we thought there must have been a plane crash,’ he said. 

Phone from the scene showed the front half of the small seaplane submerged into the water. 

Several parts of the plane were damaged, including the wings.

Previously owned by Whitsunday Air Services, the plane was a recent new addition to Swan River Seaplanes’ fleet. 

The aircraft arrived on New Year’s Day from Sydney.

Built and registered in 2016,  the plane can carry up to 14 passengers.

Four people were rescued from the water with three airlifted to hospital (pictured)

Swan River Seaplane is working with authorities.

‘Our priority is our pilot and passengers,’ director Kristy Bailey said. 

Rottnest Island, which is also known as Wadjemup, is a popular tourist spot which attracts thousands of visitors each year. 

The island, which is also home to the world-famous marsupial quokkas, has a small airport and various companies offer flights to and from the mainland.