Aircraft damaged when it struck something during takeoff, with nearby boats rushing to evacuate those onboard after crash, witnesses say
A pilot and seven passengers have avoided serious injuries after a seaplane ended up on Shark Island after being forced to abort its takeoff from Sydney Harbour.
The plane was operated by Sydney Seaplanes – the same company whose aircraft was involved in a 2017 crash that killed six people on the Hawkesbury River.
New South Wales police said on Thursday that one person onboard the light aircraft had suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics.
“Police have been told one of the pontoons had sustained damage and fell off, resulting in the crash,” a spokesperson for the force said.
Emergency services were called to Shark Island before midday.
The Sydney Seaplanes chief executive, Aaron Shaw, said the plane hit something during its takeoff run – possibly the wake from a boat – that damaged the aircraft.
