A stunt pilot's near fatal crash at a Budapest air show

A stunt plane has bounced off the water as it tried to fly in formation under Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge at speeds of up to 200km/h.

The almost-catastrophic mishap happened during the European city’s annual Great Race.

The pilots effortlessly manoeuvred the planes in tight formation as they performed their synchronised routines over the city below.

Having tantalised the audiences, the pilots line up for their grand finale.

The three planes raced barely metres above the Danube River as they attempted the fly underneath the city's historic bridge.

All went to plan until turbulence became too much for the one of the pilots.

Water erupted into the air as the plane's landing gear skimmed the surface of the river.

What could have ended in tragedy quickly turned into an aeronautical spectacle as the pilot regained control of the aircraft – never breaking formation.