Four people dead after two planes collided mid-air

Four people are dead after two twin-engine planes collided mid-air at Mangalore, about 120 kilometres north of Melbourne. A Piper PA-44-180 Seminole and a Beechcraft D95A Travel Air suffered a mid-air collision at about 4,100 feet, east Mangalore Airport (YMNG), Victoria. Both occupants in each aircraft were killed and the aircraft were destroyed.  The Piper Seminole had departed Mangalore Airport at 11:20 hours on a local training flight. The Beech Travel Air had departed at 10:55 from Melbourne-Tyabb Airport and was heading to Mangalore Airport. The collision occurred about 11:24 hours, 7 km south of Mangalore Airport. One of the planes was carrying a trainee pilot and instructor. We're not sure why both aircraft were on the same trajectory or why they were in that area, but unfortunately they've collided mid-air," Inspector Koger said. "There was some talk of possible cloud cover and there's a possibility that they didn't see each other." Inspector Koger said one of the planes crashed immediately after the collision, while the other continued for some distance before crashing. He said both had been "extensively damaged" before they hit the ground. Witnesses on the ground and in a helicopter saw the mid-air collision and the first plane crash, Inspector Kroger said. "It's a big tragedy for both families … it's very upsetting for everyone including emergency services that had to see this scene today," he said. "It's a tragedy for sure." A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority said the incident involved a Piper Seminole aircraft registered to flight school Moorabbin Aviation Services and a Beechcraft Travel Air registered to a private owner at Tyabb, on the Mornington Peninsula. Both planes had two people on board, the spokesman said.  All four people died at the crash scenes. They are yet to be identified. Police are investigating and will prepare a report for the coroner with the assistance of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. Police are also keen to hear from anyone who may have dashcam footage of the collision, which happened close to the Hume Freeway.


Aircraft One Details
Owner: Moorabbin Aviation Service
Aircraft: Piper PA-44-180 Seminole
Registration: VH-JQF
Serial Number: 44-7995291


Aircraft Two Details
Owner: Private Owner
Aircraft: Beechcraft D95A Travel Air
Registration: VH-AEM
Serial Number: TD-682


Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved in this horrific tragedy.