Two missing after mid-air crash over bay

Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au

TWO people, including MasterChef TV cameraman James Rose, were still missing on Monday after a mid-air collision over Port Phillip between ex-military planes on Sunday off Mount Martha.

The two-seater aircraft were reported to be conducting a formation flight over the bay when they collided. One plane plunged into the water while the second, also with two people on board, flew back to Essendon Airport.

Family members of the two men in the missing aircraft waited at Mount Martha Life Saving Club Sunday night as a search and rescue mission continued about 11 kilometres offshore.

It is believed the Viper S-211 Marchetti jet planes were operated by Jetworks Aviation, which describes itself as “Australia’s most modern civilian fighter jet fleet” and offers 45-minute, two jet fighter formation flights for $7750.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the collision, which occurred at about 1.45pm.

Some wreckage was recovered late on Sunday, including a beacon floating device and a tyre. ATSB transport safety investigators are conducting interviews, retrieving all available recorded data, and gathering weather, aircraft maintenance, operator procedure and pilot information and documentation.

A report into the accident will be released early next year.

The ATSB is calling for witnesses or anyone with footage of the accident to contact investigators via the website or on 1800 011 034.