WA Today reports the aircraft involved in the crash had previously flown as a crop duster with a different registration but the same serial number. It was involved in a fatal accident that killed a pilot in 1996.
The report from that incident notes that the plane 'did not seem to be climbing sufficiently to pass over the hill in front of it.'
The report listed the plane as 'destroyed' with the accident 'fatal.'
WA Today claims the plane had since been rebuilt and made safe to fly.
NSW police will attempt to recover the seaplane Thursday, and an investigation into the fatal incident will be conducted.
This article originally appeared on New Idea.
