Sydney to Hobart yacht race competitors fished aviation headphones and an aircraft headrest out of the sea near where a light plane crashed into water in southeast Tasmania.

Two men — a 29-year old pilot and a 61-year-old photographer — were on board the single-engine Cessna when it plunged into waters off the Tasman peninsula about 6.20pm on Monday.

They had been taking photos of race yachts on the approach to Hobart.

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Tasmanian police give an update on the crash. Photo: AAP

Police commander Tony Cerritelli said the plane was flying in less than ideal weather conditions and was just 300 metres from a race competitor when it went down.

“It was flying at around mast level and plunged nose-first into the water,” he said on Tuesday.

Race competitor Mistraal radioed for help as it rushed to where crew members saw the plane’s tail disappear beneath the waves.

An oil slick has been found in the area and there is still oil coming to the surface, marine rescue services inspector Lee Renshaw said.
A few “unique” items have also been retrieved.

“It’s a headrest, a set of headphones and a cover off one of the earpieces on aviation headphones with a boom microphone,” Insp Renshaw said.

However, there has been no sign of the plane or the men as an extensive search continues.

Waters in the area are up to 90 metres and too deep for divers.
Police boats are using sonar and Insp Renshaw insisted the operation remains a search, not a recovery operation.

“We are pretty confident we can pinpoint the location of the aircraft.”
Yachts in the Sydney to Hobart race might have diverted to help a light plane that has crashed in waters off southeast Tasmania, organisers say.

A search is underway for the Cessna, which is believed to be carrying two people.