Midair collision in Melbourne

Two aircraft on a civilian flying formation yesterday has ended in tradgity.

The two planes involved were both Viper S-211 Marchetti jets with second aircraft safely landing at Essendon airport after mid-air incident, authorities say.

A search was under way for a pilot and passenger who were onboard a small military-style jet that crashed into the water off Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula after a mid-air collision.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) said the two light aircrafts collided over Port Phillip Bay on Sunday afternoon with one of the planes crashing into the water.

Amsa said the two planes were Italian-made Viper S-211 Marchetti jets which are often used for military training. Reports say the planes were on a civilian-operated formation flight when they collided.

The second plane – also carrying two people – subsequently landed safely at Essendon airport on Sunday.

Three rescue helicopters were scouring the scene along with water police and volunteer marine rescue units, authorities said. The wreckage of the crashed plane had been located.

Aircraft Information: No 1
Owner/ Operator: Jetworks Aviation 
Aircraft: SIAI Marchetti S211
Registration: VH-DZJ

Serial Number: 005/02/002

Aircraft Information: No 2
Owner/ Operator: Jetworks Aviation 
Aircraft: SIAI Marchetti S211
Registration: VH-DQJ

Serial Number: 025/02/015