The floatplane aircraft carrying seven people, including some tourists, took off from the water and briefly became airborne before it crashed off Thomson Bay about 4pm (7pm AEDT) on Tuesday.
Pilot James Wong, 34, and two passengers, a 65-year-old woman from Switzerland and a 60-year-old man from Denmark, were killed.
“We’ve lost a local, a pilot, and obviously we’ve lost some people who were here on a holiday seeing this amazing part of the world,” Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King said.
The remaining four passengers were injured; a 58-year-old woman from Denmark, a 63-year-old man from Western Australia, a 63-year-old man from Switzerland and a 65-year-old man from Western Australia.
Today, Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators began collecting evidence from the crash site and examining the wreckage.
“In particular, investigators are seeking to recover and preserve any recorded data onboard the aircraft, including flight tracking and engine performance data, and any mobile phones or other devices,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
The wreckage will be taken to a facility in Perth for further examination.
“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,” Mitchell said. Northern Australia
Swan River Seaplanes Director Kristy Bailey, who owns the Cessna 208 floatplane that crashed, confirmed services have been paused as her team works with authorities in their investigation.
”Our deepest and sincere condolences are with their families and friends,” she said.
“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.
“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 ATSB will deliver factual information gathered during the evidence-collection phase of the investigation in a preliminary report before releasing its safety analysis and findings in a final report.
