Reason behind fatal Mount Martha plane crash revealed in new report

An initial probe into the deadly Port Phillip Bay plane crash has claimed the pilot wanted a better camera angle before the midair collision.

Veteran pilot Stephen Gale and skilled cameraman James Rose were killed when their plane collided with another military-style jet in waters near Mount Martha, about 50 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, on November 19.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau today released an initial report into the plane crash after a two-month investigation.

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According to the report, the two jets were performing an unplanned aerobatic maneuver when they crashed.

Both pilots were qualified to perform the complex aerobatic routines, but the pilot in the surving aircraft had just 10.8 hours' experience in that exact jet.

Cameras captured the moment the two military-style jets clipped wings, while filming a documentary, released by the ATSB today.

"The exact maneuver and exactly what was brief and what was executed is something we'll get more understanding over," Angus Mitchell from the ATSB said.

"It's purely the evidence and in this case, it's the sequence of events that led to that collision."

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The plan was for Viper One, with a pilot and safety pilot on board, to fly upside down as Gale and Rose, in Viper Two, moved next to the aircraft in a level position.

As they attempted the maneuver, Viper Two passed beneath, and Stephen Gale asked the other pilot to do it again as it provided a better filming opportunity.

But on the second attempt, the two planes collided.

The first plane managed to recover and land with relatively minor damage, but the plane carrying Gale and Rose was unflyable.

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The report also revealed ejectable seats fitted in both aircraft were disabled on the day of the fatal flight.

The surviving pilot was on a restricted licence which meant he had to fly with a safety pilot.

Their experience, along with maintenance records, will form the next part of the investigation.

The final report will be released in 18 months.