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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 203623
Last updated: 15 October 2019
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Date:31-DEC-2017
Time:15:15 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic DHC2 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver
Owner/operator:Sydney Seaplanes Pty Ltd
Registration: VH-NOO
C/n / msn: 1535
Fatalities:Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Other fatalities:0
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:off Cottage Point, Jerusalem Bay, NSW -   Australia
Phase: En route
Nature:Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Cottage Point Inn, NSW
Destination airport:Rose Bay, NSW (RSE/YRAY)
Narrative:
A float-equipped de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver impacted the water off Cottage Point, Jerusalem Bay, Australia shortly after takeoff, killing all six on board.

The operator reported that the aircraft’s expected and standard flight path after departing Cottage Point was to climb initially to the north then turn right along Cowan Creek toward the main body of the Hawkesbury River, until sufficient altitude was gained to fly above terrain and return to Rose Bay. While the exact take-off path from Cottage Point has yet to be established, the aircraft was observed by witnesses to enter Jerusalem Bay. The aircraft was observed to enter the bay at an altitude below the height of the surrounding terrain. Several witnesses also reported hearing the aircraft’s engine and stated that the sound was constant and appeared normal.

Shortly after entering Jerusalem Bay, numerous witnesses reported seeing the aircraft suddenly enter a steep right turn and the aircraft’s nose suddenly drop before the aircraft collided with the water in a near vertical position. The aircraft came to rest inverted and with the cabin submerged. Witnesses reported the entire tail section and parts of both floats were initially above the waterline. The aircraft took over 10 minutes to completely submerge. A quantity of fuel was also observed in the water. A number of witnesses who heard or observed the impact responded to render assistance. All six occupants received fatal injuries.

Among the fatalities was high profile British businessman Richard J. Cousins, then CEO of Compass Group plc, a British FTSE 100 company. The 58-year-old chief executive, died alongside his sons Will and Edward, aged 25 and 23, his fiancee Emma Bowden, 48, and her 11-year-old daughter Heather. The only other fatality was the pilot, Canadian Gareth Morgan.

Sources:

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2017/aair/ao-2017-118/
https://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/12/31/15/54/light-plane-crash-into-hawkesbury-river-new-years-eve
https://www.facebook.com/atsbgovau/photos/a.1655527014665323.1073741829.1638364093048282/2011095122441842/?type=3&theater
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/british-family-including-young-girl-named-as-hawkesbury-river-seaplane-crash-victims
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jan/02/sydney-seaplane-crash-investigators-say-type-of-plane-considered-reliable
http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/report-sheds-light-on-seaplanes-final-moments/news-story/367167abe4323af71d48199fd099a3e8
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42561706
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-plane-may-have-crashed-in-australia-after-canadian-pilot-accidentally/
DEC-2018 : https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6514421/Chilling-pictures-camera-reveal-doomed-seaplanes-final-moments-crashed.html
________________________
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/8521969


Images:

Photo of VH-NOO courtesy AirHistory.net


Sydney - Rose Bay Seaplane (RSE / YRAY)
1 January 2017; (c) Phil Vabre


Photo: ATSB


ATSB

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
31-Dec-2017 07:34 Pineapple Added
31-Dec-2017 07:38 harro Updated [Aircraft type, Location, Source, Narrative]
31-Dec-2017 07:43 harro Updated [Total fatalities, Damage, Narrative]
31-Dec-2017 13:40 Iceman 29 Updated [Embed code]
31-Dec-2017 14:15 Iceman 29 Updated [Time, Phase, Destination airport, Source, Embed code]
31-Dec-2017 14:21 Iceman 29 Updated [Phase, Embed code, Photo, ]
01-Jan-2018 06:59 Iceman 29 Updated [Destination airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative]
01-Jan-2018 10:44 Anon. Updated [Narrative]
02-Jan-2018 09:21 Iceman 29 Updated [Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative]
02-Jan-2018 09:23 Iceman 29 Updated [Embed code, Narrative]
03-Jan-2018 09:18 Anon. Updated [Destination airport]
03-Jan-2018 09:20 harro Updated [Source, Narrative]
04-Jan-2018 16:52 Iceman 29 Updated [Embed code]
04-Jan-2018 20:39 Aerossurance Updated [Source, Narrative]
05-Jan-2018 11:26 Iceman 29 Updated [Embed code]
18-Jan-2018 18:18 Anon. Updated [Source, Narrative]
31-Jan-2018 07:04 harro Updated [Photo, ]
31-Jan-2018 07:07 harro Updated [Departure airport, Destination airport, Narrative, Photo, ]
31-Jan-2018 07:09 harro Updated [Embed code]
31-Jan-2018 07:14 harro Updated [Source, Narrative]
02-Feb-2018 15:31 Anon. Updated [Source, Narrative]
16-Oct-2018 04:19 Iceman 29 Updated [Source, Narrative]
16-Oct-2018 14:10 Iceman 29 Updated [Narrative]
27-Dec-2018 18:45 Iceman 29 Updated [Source]
27-Dec-2018 18:45 Iceman 29 Updated [Embed code]

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