Mornington plane crash: Human remains discovered inside ex-fighter jet that crashed into Port Phillip Bay with a pilot and a Masterchef cameraman onboard

• Human remains discovered inside plane wreckage
• Ex-fighter jets crashed into Port Phillip Bay on Sunday
• READ MORE: MasterChef cameraman one of two people onboard ex-fighter jet

Human remains have been found amongst the wreckage of an ex-fighter jet that crashed into the water near Melbourne on Sunday. 

Masterchef cameraman James Rose, 30, was filming footage for a new TV show in one of two Viper S-211 Marchetti fighter Jets flying in tandem when the the aircrafts collided off the shore of the Mornington Peninsula at about 1.45pm. 

Victoria Police confirmed that the bodies discovered inside the plane on Monday night are believed to be those of two men reported missing. 

‘They are believed to be the missing occupants of the plane, a 56-year-old Brunswick man and a 30-year-old Surrey Hills man,’ the statement said. 

Pilot Stephen Gale, 56, and Mr Rose were reported missing after the ex-fighter jets collided about 12km west of Mount Martha, in Melbourne’s southeast. 

One of the jets was able to miraculously fly back to Essendon airport.

Pilot Stephen Gale, 56, and Mr Rose were reported missing after the ex-fighter jets collided about 12km west of Mount Martha, in Melbourne’s southeast

Victoria Police confirmed that the bodies discovered inside the plane on Monday night are believed to be those of two men reported missing (pictured, search efforts earlier this week)

Police said wreckage from the plane was located off the shore of the Mornington Peninsula on Monday evening following a massive search operation. 

‘Investigators are working to establish the exact circumstances of the incident and investigations remain ongoing,’ a police statement said. 

‘They believe the aircrafts would have been visible from Mount Martha between 1pm and 2pm on Sunday.’

Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident.  

The grim discovery comes as the harrowing mayday call by the surviving pilot reveals what happened in the aftermath of the collision.

‘Viper 1 … mayday, mayday, mayday,’ the surviving pilot said.

An air traffic control operator then replies: ‘Viper 1, roger your mayday. You anticipate Viper 1 in the water?’

‘I am anticipating Viper 2 in the water… we can see a splash mark,’ the pilot responded. 

Mr Rose was on one of two Viper S-211 Marchetti fighter Jets (pictured) flying in tandem on Sunday, when the the aircrafts collided about 1.40pm

James’s father David Rose said he was proud of his son as members of his family gathered at the Mount Martha Life Saving Club earlier this week. 

‘He is recognised as one of the best drone operators in Australia and worked on all the big name TV shows,’ he told the Herald Sun. 

‘That’s why he was up there, in the plane today.’

Both planes are operated by Jetworks Aviation and run 45-minute joy flights costing $7750, that simulate a military fighter jet experience with ‘only one wing span separating the aircraft’.

‘After you both kit up and take the obligatory photos (while you looking fresh faced), you will experience your combat leaders brief to prepare for the upcoming sortie,’ the website reads.

‘You and your wingman will simultaneously depart Essendon Airport as a close formation pair. The two aircraft will perform some air show style formation aerobatic manoeuvres before separating into the ­dynamic combat formation. 

‘After crisscrossing over the bay in a modern dogfight, the two aircraft will return in formation passing close to Melbourne’s beautiful skyline.’

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