POLICE say a hang-glider who died in a crash at Bar Beach on Sunday afternoon may have gotten into trouble in the air before losing control and clipping a power line. 

The man, 46, was killed instantly when he crashed into the front of a house on Memorial Drive about 3pm.

Friends of the man described him as an experienced pilot and witnesses said they saw him undertaking advanced aerobatics in the moments before the crash. 

One witness was filming the man as he performed the manoeuvres and captured the subsequent crash. 

The footage has been handed over to police. 

Newcastle City police Inspector Jennifer Lawton said early inquiries indicate the man either ‘‘lost control or got caught in the wind’’ in the moments before the crash. 

She said he clipped the electricity wires but police do not believe he was electrocuted. 

‘‘It appears he was in trouble before he hit the wires,’’ she said.

‘‘The occupants were at home, but were at the rear of the house. They didn’t see anything but they are understandably shaken up.’’

Crime scene police and detectives are investigating the cause of the crash and have spoken with more than a dozen witnesses who were either walking along Memorial Drive or sitting in nearby Bar Beach car park. 

Police said they were still working on notifying the man’s next of kin. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.