A seaplane carrying five people has crashed in the waters off the Whitsundays in a terrifying incident during a joy flight.
The DHC-2 Beaver seaplane was traveling over the world-famous Whitehaven Beach when the plane fell into the water between 8:30 and 9 a.m. on Saturday.
The plane is believed to have plunged into the ocean with a pilot and four passengers on board.
A spokesperson for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed it was investigating the incident.
No one on board was injured during the accident.
It is understood the pilot is from the Whitsundays and the passengers are from Sydney. The plane was later towed to the beach, Cairns Mail reported.
“The ATSB is gathering more information to better understand the circumstances of the accident,” the spokesperson told the newspaper.
It is understood the plane was attempting to land in the water off the beach before crashing into the ocean.
The plane was traveling over the world-famous Whitehaven beach when the plane hit the water sometime between 8.30am and 9am on Saturday (pictured: file image).
The incident comes after a 58-year-old man died in Chance Bay, also on Whitsunday Island, on Wednesday.
Emergency services rushed to the beach after receiving reports of a medical emergency shortly before 6pm.
Paramedics treated the man but he later died at the scene.
Queensland Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
It is understood the plane attempted to land in the water off the beach before crashing into the ocean (pictured: file image of Whitehaven Beach)