The harrowing final words of the co-pilot of the plane in the Farnborough air disaster have been revealed by investigators.

Michael Chapman, 57, said over his radio: "We have a major problem, a major power problem. It looks as though we’re, er, going in, we’re going in."

The line then went dead before the Cessna Citation executive jet nose-dived into a house and exploded into a fireball, killing all five on board.

A preliminary report into the tragedy reveals the crew turned back two minutes into the flight to Pau, in France, with "engine vibration".

The tower controller said "everything appeared normal" at take-off from Biggin Hill Airport at about 1.30pm on Sunday, March 30.

But the co-pilot soon said: "We’re making an immediate turn to return to the airport".

The control tower gave consent and asked: "What’s the nature of your problem?"

The response: "We’re getting, er, engine vibration. We’ll come straight back."

Moments later, the plane started its decent and Mr Chapman issued his final message before the radio went dead.

The stricken jet skimmed over a playing field full of children playing football, trees and rooftops before ploughing into a detached house in Romsey Close.

Miraculously, retired homeowners Pat and Ed Harman were away on holiday and no-one else was injured.

The garage of the house next door was also destroyed – with the young family inside just yards from disaster.

Pilot Mike Roberts, 63, from Effingham in Surrey, and co-pilot Michael Chapman, 57, from Shoreham-on-sea died.

Passengers former British Touring Car Championship driver David Leslie, 54, Apex Motorsport boss Richard Lloyd, 63, and Christopher Allarton, 25, also perished.

No evidence was found of a bird or other object damaging the enginge, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch report said.

The plane did not have – nor was required to have – an on-board flight or voice recorder.

The investigation continues and a full report analysing the crash will be published.

Bromley detectives investigating the crash have arrested a man on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. The 34-year-old, from Sussex, was released on bail until May 29. A Met police spokesman said the arrest was in relation to "matters not connected" with the actual crash.