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This is the latest-
NO one could have survived the crash of a light plane in the sea near a rocky outcrop on the coast of southern Victoria, authorities say.
The wreckage of the twin-engine Cessna 337 Skymaster was located off the shore at Cape Liptrap near Wilsons Promontory late today, bringing to an end a massive three-day search.
The bodies of a man and a woman have been identified, police say, and the third body is thought to be that of another woman.
Experienced pilot Geoff Milne, his wife Mathilde, their son and his girlfriend were on board the plane.
A helicopter search crew found the wreckage of the twin-engine Cessna 337 Skymaster near the shore at Cape Liptrap, near Wilsons Promontory, about 4.40pm (AEDT) today.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman Tracey Jiggins said there was no sign yet of the fourth person but there was little hope that person was alive.
"There are three bodies. Police are now on the scene at the moment and they will be co-ordinating the job,'' she said.
"The impact of the crash appears to be non-survivable.''
The aircraft was spotted after an air, land and sea search covering 5,000 square nautical miles, including Bass Strait and involving 23 aircraft.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the plane crashed in the water near Cape Liptrap, a rocky outcrop that juts deep into Bass Strait, but some of the debris had washed ashore.
There were reports the plane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) had emitted a signal that was detected at 11pm (AEDT) yesterday but that turned out to be false, Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman Rhianne Philip said earlier today.
"It was unrelated, the beacon activation had nothing to do with the search. It came from a Sydney rubbish tip and was probably a personal locating device,'' Ms Philip said.
It was unusual the aircraft had not emitted an emergency signal because all aircraft had to be fitted with ELT, an aviation expert said yesterday.
The Victorian coroner will investigate the cause of the crash.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau had been notified, Ms Jiggins said.
RIP.
Pete
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