A MASTERCHEF cameraman is feared dead in a horror plane crash after two aircraft collided mid-air.
James Rose, 30, is believed to be one of the victims of the tragedy who was onboard the jet that crashed into Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay on Sunday.
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Experienced pilot Stephen Gale, the owner of aviation company Jetworks Aviation is believed to be the second victim.
It is understood he was filming for a new TV show when the planes crashed.
A former Royal Australian Air Force engineer, Gale’s company owns the two Viper S-211 Marchetti jet planes which collided, news.com au reports.
Authorities confirmed on Monday the search for the pair had resumed with three helicopters from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority joining Victoria Police Air Wing choppers.
A plane tyre and another part of the wreckage have been found in the bay.
The two ex-military jets collided in mid-air approximately 7.4 miles west of Mornington.
It is understood they were conducting a formation flight over the bay when they collided.
Rose’s jet plunged into the water, while the other was able to return to Essendon Airport.
Raising the alarm, the pilot of the jet which remained airborne following the crash, radioed; ‘Viper 1 … mayday, mayday, mayday”.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau announced it would launch an investigation into the crash.
Chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said: “The ATSB will investigate a mid-air collision between two aircraft over Port Phillip Bay on Sunday afternoon.
“The ATSB asks anyone who may have witnessed and has footage of the accident, or who has footage of the aircraft in any phase of their flights, to contact us via the witness form on our website at their earliest convenience.”
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