Johnny Depp burst into hysterical laughter when the private jet he was on nearly crashed.

The 'Rum Diary' actor was en route to Los Angeles on a Gulfstream plane with director Bruce Robinson when the engines cut out and the pair surprised themselves with their reactions.

Johnny told Live magazine: "The plane just shut down. The sound of the engines stopped. There was silence. Bruce and I were looking at each other and I think I said, 'Is this it?' It was like this weird extended moment when you're just floating for a second and you could feel this unpleasant descent.

"Nobody said a word except for Bruce and I, sitting next to each other saying, 'Oh s**t! This is death; I guess this is how it goes down.'

"Then we burst into hysterical laughter at the idea that this was how we were going to die."

However, to the relief of the pair the engines quickly started back up again but Johnny credits the near death experience with helping the pair to Bond.

He said: "Suddenly the engines started back up again and we were climbing back up. I guess you could say that was a big bonding experience for Bruce and me. For a moment there, we were going down together."