Rottnest seaplane crash: Bombshell revelations over plane maintenance after horror incident

[Pelican Press 0]

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Rottnest seaplane ******: Bombshell revelations over plane maintenance after horror incident

The aviation safety regulator received a complaint about “maintenance related practices” concerning a seaplane five days before it dived into waters off Rottnest Island, killing the pilot and three passengers.

The West *********** can reveal the Civil Aviation Safety Authority received correspondence on January 2 from a prospective buyer of the Cessna 208, claiming it had not been properly maintained while in storage in NSW for nine months.

However, the agency confirmed that the “necessary maintenance checks were conducted in Perth before the seaplane entered into service”.

Flight records indicate that before it was flown to Perth from the Sydney suburb of Bankstown on New Year’s Day, the plane had not flown since March last year.

Six days later, the plane crashed into Thomson Bay, killing pilot James Wong, Danish tourist Torben Poulsen, 60, and Swiss woman Danielle Grundbacher-Mosching, 65.

“CASA received allegations from a prospective buyer about maintenance related practices in Sydney before the aircraft was sold,” a CASA spokesman told The West.

CASA did not say whether the allegations put before the agency were investigated before the ******.

Camera IconOne of the floats from the seaplane on the back of a truck destined for storage at the Police Station. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West ***********

“We are unable to comment further while the accident is under investigation,” the spokesman said.

The *********** Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the cause of the tragedy.

An ATSB spokesperson said the authority was unable to comment on evidence during an ongoing investigation.

However, ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell earlier this month said the aircraft’s maintenance logs — along with weather conditions on the day and pilot error — would all form part of the probe.

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Camera IconThe ATSB is still collecting examining evidence relating to the ******, with parts of the wreckage flown to Canberra for further examination. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West ***********

Swan River Seaplanes was contacted for comment.

Those who survived the ****** were Mr Poulsen’s wife, Danish woman Hanna Esmee Duer, 58, and the 63-year-old husband of Mrs Grundbacher-Mosching, Andreas Mosching.

West Australians Jeremy and Patricia Connor, both aged in their 60s, also survived.

Last week, the couple said they were “eternally grateful that ourselves and others were able to reach safety”.

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Camera IconFlight records indicate that before it was flown to Perth from the Sydney suburb of Bankstown on New Year’s Day, the plane had not flown since March last year. Credit: 7NEWS

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with our fellow passengers, their families and friends,” they said.

“Looking forward, we know that it could have been an even more tragic outcome and we sincerely hope that everyone can overcome what happened and heal as time goes by.”

They said a safety demonstration done by Mr Wong before take off helped them survive.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with the pilot, his family, friends and colleagues,” the couple said.

“We will never forget and will always be grateful that his demonstration of how to open the emergency exit was a critical factor in our survival.

The ATSB is still collecting examining evidence relating to the ******, with parts of the wreckage flown to Canberra for further examination.

Investigators hope any recorded data aboard the aircraft, including flight tracking and engine performance data, would have been preserved despite the time in the water.

In the wake of the ******, CASA said Swan River Seaplanes “ceased operations and we are working with (CASA) to gather further information”.

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#Rottnest #seaplane #****** #Bombshell #revelations #plane #maintenance #horror #incident

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