Investigators reveal one last aerobatic trick was performed before the deadly Port Philip plane crash

A new report has detailed the crucial moments leading up to a deadly mid-air collision between two fighter jets.

A deadly plane crash over Port Philip Bay followed a last-minute decision to run through a mid-air manoeuvre for a second time to get a better film shot, a new report has found.

Two military-style jets were performing an aerobatic manoeuvre over Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay when they collided mid-air causing one plane to plummet into the ocean on November 19.

Pilot Stephen Gale, 56, and camera operator James Rose, 30 were both killed during the crash.

The group were filming a documentary which involved filming various aerobatic tricks involving the two Marchetti S-211s fighter jets.

A preliminary report released on Wednesday provides a re-enactment of the moments leading up to the crash including still images taken from the footage filmed inside the surviving plane.

A new report has revealed what happened in the moments surrounding a fatal plane crash over Port Phillip Bay. Picture: ATSB

James Rose, 30 and Stephen Gale. 56, were killed in the plane crash over Port Phillip Bay. Picture: Supplied.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that the two pilots planned to perform two manoeuvres in the air, communicating over discrete radio frequency during the stunts.

The crews departed Essendon Airport about 1.24pm local time and began their flight towards Port Phillip Bay.

After pulling off the two stunts, Mr Gale – the pilot of Viper 2 – advised over the radio that passing underneath Viper 1 during the second manoeuvre “provided a good filming opportunity” and asked if they could repeat it.

The point of impact between the wings of Viper 1 and Viper 2 (orange plane). Picture: ATSB

The moments leading up to the collision from the point-of-view of the surviving aircraft. Picture: ATSB

In the middle of performing the trick, less than 10 minutes after taking off, the planes collided at 1.33pm.

The report explains that the Viper 2 was positioned below Viper 1 when it “climbed and banked left,” causing the “right wings of each aircraft” to collide.

“After the collision and with the right wing severely damaged, Viper 2 continued to climb and began rolling right, passing above and behind Viper 1,” the report said.

“Viper 2 rolled to an inverted attitude and quickly assumed a near vertical, nose-down flight path toward the water and commenced a slow right roll until impacting the water at high speed. Both occupants were fatally injured.”

The occupants of Viper 1 said they felt the collision but did not see it.

The second manoeuvre performed accurately before the pilot asked for it to be performed again. Picture: ATSB

The pilot then attempted to contact the pilot of Viper 2, but no response was received, so the pilot turned the plane back towards the spot of collision.

The safety pilot described seeing a splash mark and debris on the water’s surface.

Air traffic control was advised of the and a ‘mayday’ was broadcasted by the pilot while they orbited the splash mark to help aid search and rescue teams.

The ATSB report also detailed the flying experience of both pilots, with the pilot of the surviving aircraft, Viper 1, having just 10.8 hours experience in the S-211 jet despite 20,700 total hours of flying time.

He was required to have a safety pilot on board, but had significant experience in aerobatic displays.

Mr Gale had 489 hours of experience flying the S-211 jet and 1500 total hours of flying time.

He also held endorsements in aerobatics and spinning flight activity.