Tragedy on Pippa's plane: Kate Middleton's sister flew on the seaplane that crashed into a Sydney river killing millionaire British CEO and four family members including an 11-year-old girl

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Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews flew on the same seaplane which crashed on New Year's Eve, killing all six on board, just seven months ago during their honeymoon. 

The couple took the same trip on the De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver to an exclusive river restaurant north of Sydney as the five holidaying Britons, including an 11-year-old girl, who were killed.

Pippa, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, and James were pictured in the aircraft with the call sign VH-NOO in late May as they flew to and from lunch at the swanky Cottage Point Inn. 

Prominent businessman Richard Cousins, 58, his fiancee Emma Bowden, 48, Ms Bowden's daughter Heather, 11, and Mr Cousins's sons Edward, 23, and William, 25, were killed in the accident on Sunday. 

Video taken from a nearby boat shows what is believed to be the doomed aircraft just moments before it plunged into the Hawkesbury River at Jerusalem Bay, near Cowan, about 3pm local time.

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Newlyweds Pippa Middleton and James Matthews (right) alight the De Havilland DHC-2 seaplane which crashed on Sunday, killing all six on board, during their honeymoon in Sydney on May 31

Pippa Middleton steps into the seaplane which crashed in the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney, on Sunday afternoon

A NSW Police officer carries a door recovered from the De Havilland aircraft which crashed on Sunday killing all six aboard 

High-profile businessman Richard Cousins (pictured) was killed along with his fiancee, her daughter and two of his sons

The Duchess of Cambridge's sister Pippa Middleton seated in the seaplane which crashed on Sunday killing all six on board

The wreckage of the 54-year-old aircraft, operated by Sydney Seaplanes, was eventually found on the bottom of Cowan Creek under 42ft (13m) of water with the bodies inside. The bodies have all been removed.

Police are now working on the logistics of refloating the wreckage. They do not know what caused the crash.

The plane will need to be brought back to the surface before forensic air-crash investigators can piece together what went wrong.

Mr Cousins, chief executive of British catering giant Compass, is believed to have been in Australia on a family holiday to celebrate New Year with his family.

He was recently named at No 11 on the 100 Best Performing CEOs in the World by Harvard Business Review. When Mr Cousins announced his retirement in September, shares in Compass dropped.

The Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull – whose father died in a light plane crash in 1982 – described the disaster as a 'tragic accident'.

'Our hearts go out to the families of those whose lives were lost in this accident,' Mr Turnbull said.

'These are tragic circumstances. It's hard. We don't know yet what caused it but it's just a tragedy. 

'Again, we grieve for those who've lost their lives, and again, our thoughts and prayers are with their families as they come to terms with this terrible loss.' 

Gareth Morgan, who was killed when the seaplane he was flying crashed, was an experienced and well-regarded pilot

Newlyweds Pippa Middleton and James Matthews walk from the seaplane which crashed on Sunday, killing five Britons

Six people have been killed after a tourist plane crashed into a river near Sydney on Sunday afternoon, with five of the victims British. Pictured is a plane believed to be the doomed aircraft spotted moments before it crashed 

Newlyweds Pippa Middleton and James Matthews (right) alight the De Havilland DHC-2 seaplane which crashed on Sunday, killing all six on board, during their honeymoon in Sydney on May 31 

Five Britons, including an 11-year-old girl, are believed to have been on board the Sydney Seaplanes aircraft when it came down. Pictured are police officers gathering evidence at the scene

NSW Police and Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators on a police launch at the river crash site on Monday 

An officer carries a piece of debris recovered from a seaplane that crashed into the Hawkesbury River, north of Sydney

Witness Myles Baptiste said he saw the plane crash. He told 9News: 'It made a tight right-hand turn and as it actually turned around, the wings dipped and it nosedived straight into the water.'

'For reasons that are not known at this stage, the plane has hit the water and it has subsequently sunk,' said a police spokesperson.

'At the time of the collision, there was a pilot and five passengers on board. I can confirm the six people on the plane are deceased.'  

The plane crashed while flying the party of five from the Cottage Point Inn back to Rose Bay on Sydney Harbour ahead of the New Year's Eve fireworks display.

The acclaimed restaurant offers three-hour degustations at $140 (£81) per person with another $75 (£43) getting customers paired wines.

Sydney Seaplanes managing director Aaron Shaw said: 'All at Sydney Seaplanes are deeply shocked by this incident and the resulting loss of life.'

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews return from their trip to Cottage Point Inn on the Hawkesbury River on May 31

Emergency services were called to Cowan Creek on Sunday with reports of a light plane crash

NSW police and paramedics remove a passenger's body from the crash site at Jerusalem Bay on the Hawkesbury River

'We wish to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the passengers and pilot who were tragically killed. We do not yet know the cause of the accident.

'We are dedicating our full resources in assisting the NSW Police, the Australian Transport Safety Board, Civil Aviation Safety Authority and other relevant authorities to understand the cause of the accident.' 

He added: 'Sydney Seaplanes has been operating since 2005, have undertaken thousands of flights in that period and have had an unblemished safety record until now.

'The safety of our passengers and staff is our absolute primary and highest priority.

'Our aircraft are professionally maintained to manufacturer's specifications and our seaplane pilots are some of the most experienced in the world.'

The company has suspended all operations until further notice, Mr Shaw said.   

A fellow Sydney Seaplanes pilot took to Facebook to write: 'Thoughts are with the guys from Sydney Seaplanes this afternoon, hope they are all well and things have a positive outcome. Top bunch of guys working there.' 

 Debris and oil slick have been found on the surface of Cowan Creek, north of Sydney, where the seaplane crashed

The body of a passenger recovered from the crashed seaplane is carried from the scene by NSW police and paramedics

Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews arrive at Rose Bay wharf after their seaplane flight on May 31 this year

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews (centre) disembark from the seaplane which crashed on New Year's Eve

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has sent three vehicles to investigate the incident.

The bureau is expected to release a preliminary report in just under a month, according to The Australian. Forensic police are also at the scene.

The route the seaplane took is a popular choice for tourists who want to experience Sydney's beauty from the air.

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews had exchanged vows at St Mark's Church at a private estate in Berkshire, west of London, less than a fortnight before their Sydney seaplane flight. 

Those who have enjoyed the same trip include television host Jeremy Clarkson. 

Other A-listers to take to the skies over scenic New South Wales with the company Sydney Seaplanes include musician Ed Sheeran, comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr chose the seaplanes to travel around Sydney earlier last month to film commercials for a phone company.

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews share a kiss after their wedding at St Mark's Church in Berkshire on May 20 this year