A pilot forced to make an emergency landing in WA's north west after the engine on a scenic flight failed has been praised for saving the lives of his seven passengers.

The incident occurred on May 14, 2018, when what was meant to be a tourist flight over the Bungle Bungles ended with the Airvan crashing in remote bushland.

The Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan crashed in remote bushland in WA's north west in May 2018. Credit:ATSB

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau on Thursday found the quick-thinking actions of the pilot, who had recently undertaken emergency landing training, helped save those on board.

According to the authority's report, the cause of the crash was an air intake pipe, which had detached mid-flight, causing the plane's engine to at first act, "sluggish" at 3500 feet, before losing nearly all its power and starting to "splutter".