Berlin -
German police say two civilian pilots whose military-chartered jet crashed after colliding with a fighter plane are presumed dead.
A spokeswoman for police in the Sauerland region east of Cologne says human remains found near the site of Monday's crash likely belonged to the pilots, aged 50 and 43.
The Learjet was taking part in a manoeuvre with two Eurofighter jets when it collided with one of the military planes near the town of Elpe. It crashed 90m from a residence.
Police spokeswoman Bianca Scheer said on Tuesday that prosecutors have begun an investigation into possible negligent homicide on the part of the fighter pilot.
The fighter pilot landed safely at a military airfield despite having a full fuel tank ripped off in the collision. - Sapa-AP