Sydney Seaplanes has resumed operations a fortnight after the New Year’s Eve accident which killed five passengers and the pilot, with the first flight expected to take off later this week.
Aaron Shaw, the company’s managing director, said there was ‘never a perfect time to recommence flying after an incident of this nature’ but getting back in the air was necessary due to the people and businesses that relied on its services.
‘It’s also what our late colleague Gareth Morgan, a passionate seaplane pilot for all of his adult life, would have wanted,’ Mr Shaw said on Monday.
A British family-of-five was killed along with Mr Morgan when the seaplane crashed into the Hawkesbury River at Jerusalem Bay, north of Sydney, on December 31.
Wreckage of the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver which crashed into the Hawkesbury River on December 31 is raised on January 4
Emma Bowden, 48, and her daughter Heather, 11, died in a horror seaplane crash in the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney, on New Year’s Eve
One of the six killed on New Year’s Eve was experienced 44-year-old Australian pilot Gareth Morgan (pictured)
Sydney Seaplanes was confident there were no systemic failings in the de Havilland Beaver DHC-2 aircraft, the type that crashed on New Year’s Eve.
However, the company will not be flying its remaining DHC-2 planes before the release of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s (ATSB) preliminary factual report, which was expected within the next fortnight.
Instead, flight services will commence with the company’s Cessna C-208 Caravan aircraft, both of which are turbine-powered 2008 models.
‘The forecast and strong southerly winds required us to cancel today’s scenic flights, however our flight schedule will return to normal once flying conditions are favourable,’ Mr Shaw said.
Millionaire CEO Richard Cousins was on board the plane with his two sons, Edward, 23, and William, 25, fiancee Emma Bowden and her 11-year-old daughter Heather when it plunged into the river. Mr Morgan, 44, was also killed.
Richard Cousins (right) – a millionaire CEO in charge of British catering company Compass – was on board the plane with his fiancee, her daughter and his two sons
Mr Cousins’ sons Edward, 23 (left) and William, 25 (right) were also killed when their seaplane plunged into the Hawkesbury River
Ms Bowden (left) and her daughter Heather (right) were travelling with Mr Cousins and his sons on a festive family holiday
The resumption of Sydney Seaplanes services will also allow bookings to return to normal at some of Sydney’s premium restaurants, including Cottage Point Inn, Jonah’s at Whale Beach and the Berowra Waters Inn.
Those eateries are made easily accessible to diners by Sydney Seaplanes flights.
The Cousins-Bowden group had dined at Cottage Point Inn on the day of the fatal crash and were flying back from the restaurant to Sydney’s Rose Bay.
Shane Oleson, owner of Cottage Point Inn, said the restaurant had worked closely with Sydney Seaplanes for the past 12 years.
‘Sydney Seaplanes brings in a significant percentage of our clientele each year, particularly during the summer months,’ Mr Oleson said. ‘It’s a partnership we value immensely.’
Mr Shaw said the Cessna aircraft to go back into service this week would be manned by two pilots for some time.
Mr Morgan (pictured), who was one of the six to be killed on New Year’s Eve, was described as a ‘very experienced pilot’
‘Safety has and always will be our absolute priority and we continue to abide by relevant aviation safety guidelines,’ Mr Shaw said.
‘Our decision to increase pilot numbers exceeds any safety regulation but will give our customers additional peace of mind and allow them to concentrate on enjoying their flights around Sydney’s beautiful harbour.’
Sydney Seaplanes said it had always exceeded the best maintenance standards and employed highly skilled pilots. Until the New Year’s Eve tragedy the company had an unblemished record after 70,000 flights since commencing operations in 2006.
Kevin Bowe, vice president of the Seaplane Pilots Association Australia, said: ‘Sydney Seaplanes is an excellent operation with some of the most experienced pilots in the world.’
‘The company has always exceeded best practice industry standards. The company is a crucial pillar of the seaplane community in Australia.’
Six people including five Britons were killed in a seaplane crash north of Sydney on New Year’s Eve; pictured is one of the bodies being removed by police and paramedics
A New South Wales policewoman is seen holding a piece of debris from the seaplane which crashed in the Hawkesbury River
Mr Cousins, the chief executive of British catering giant Compass, was due to retire in March having spent the past 11 years at the helm and transforming a business on its knees to turning a £1.6billion annual profit.
When he announced in September that he planned to retire in March, the company’s share price plummeted.
Mr Cousins was named at No 11 on last year’s 100 Best Performing CEOs in the World by Harvard Business Review.
The 58-year-old had also served on the board of supermarket giant Tesco, but resigned last year in protest at plans to buy wholesaler Booker.
The wreckage of the aircraft was found on the bottom of Cowan Creek under 42ft of water with the bodies inside.
Witness Myles Baptiste said he saw the plane crash. He told 9News: ‘It made a tight right-hand turn and as it actually turned around, the wings dipped and it nosedived straight into the water.’
Emergency services working to retrieve the plane from 42ft below the surface after it crashed on the Hawkesbury River
An officer carries a piece of debris recovered from a seaplane that crashed into the Hawkesbury River on New Year’s Eve
After the accident Mr Shaw said: ‘All at Sydney Seaplanes are deeply shocked by this incident and the resulting loss of life.
‘We wish to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the passengers and pilot who were tragically killed. We do not yet know the cause of the accident.
‘We are dedicating our full resources in assisting the NSW Police, the Australian Transport Safety Board, Civil Aviation Safety Authority and other relevant authorities to understand the cause of the accident.’
A Sydney Seaplanes pilot took to Facebook to write: ‘Thoughts are with the guys from Sydney Seaplanes this afternoon, hope they are all well and things have a positive outcome. Top bunch of guys working there.’
Sydney Seaplanes managing director Aaron Shaw confirmed that the aircraft was one of theirs
Flight radar reveals the moment that the plane lost contact while flying in the Sydney area