A group of Americans on a ”once in a lifetime” golfing holiday were among the five people killed when a light plane crashed into a suburban shopping centre in Melbourne on Tuesday morning.

The Australian pilot and all four American passengers died in the crash, which is the worst aviation accident in Victoria in 30 years.

The pilot is being investigated over a previous air incident.

Max Quartermain, 63, became involved in an Air Transport Safety Bureau inquiry in 2015 after a plane he was flying risked colliding with another in Mount Hotham, Victoria, The Australian and the ABC reported on Wednesday.

It’s understood a final report into the incident is still to be released.

Texan tourists Greg De Haven and Russell Munsch were identified as two of the victims in Facebook posts made by relatives in the US, while News Limited reported that businessman Glenn Garland was a third passenger.

Austin, Texas newspaper The Statesman identified the remaining man as John Washburn.

Mr Munsch’s cousin Carol Holst posted a photo of him online, saying: “Russ was killed in a plane crash in Australia today.  Hug your loved ones. You never know.”

Mr De Haven’s sister Denelle Wicht posted on Facebook that “my handsome athletic big brother was killed today in a plane accident while on his ‘once in a lifetime’ trip to Australia.”

Mr Garland had posted updates and photographs from rounds of golf at various famous course in Victoria and New Zealand in recent days.

The Statesman reported that Mr Washburn, who lived next door to Mr Munsch, was an executive and general counsel at Sammons Enterprises in Dallas until he retired several years ago.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died in today’s tragic crash,” a spokeswoman for the US Embassy said.

The men were heading to Tasmania’s King Island to play golf when their Beechcraft charter suffered “catastrophic engine failure” moments after taking off from Essendon Airport at 9am.

The plane dipped dramatically and cartwheeled into a direct factory outlet.

There were unconfirmed reports the men were travelling in Australia with their wives, who had planned to spend the day on a drive along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.

Victoria Police say they have spoken to and are providing support to the victims’ immediate families.

Pilot Max Quartermain had decades of flying experience.

The victims

The plane’s pilot, 63-year-old Max Quartermain, owned Essendon-based Corporate and Leisure Aviation and had more than 38 years of experience.

He reportedly flew 30 metres after take-off, called in two urgent maydays, turned slightly and crashed into the shopping centre, which had not opened for business.

Mr Quartermain was hailed as a “champion bloke” and a “fine pilot” by friends and colleagues, and was said to have a good reputation in the aviation industry.

“We feel the loss of part of the family very deeply. Max was one of the Essendon family, and we’re sad and we miss him,” said Mike Falls senior, managing director and chief pilot at Shortstop Jet Charter.

However it has emerged that Mr Quartermain was the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau that had been deferred on three separate occasions.

Police closed off the freeway beside the crash.

Mr De Haven’s sister Denelle Wicht said the 70-year-old had survived “perilous” work with the FBI and US Army in Vietnam only to die en route to a golf getaway on King Island in Tasmania.

Mr De Haven had once aspired to be a pro golfer. After retiring, he went on the senior pro golf circuit.

Mr Garland’s energy consulting firm in Austin, Texas, described the former chief executive as a “visionary”.

He “was more than a colleague to me, he was a visionary and close friend,” CLEAResult co-founder Jim Stimmel said in a statement. “We have all lost an incredible man.”

Mr Garland helped found the energy efficiency services company in 2003 before retiring in 2015.

Mr Munsch was a founding partner of a Texas law firm and litigated some of the most prominent bankruptcy cases in the US.

The firm, Munsch Hardt, said “Russ was enjoying retirement, and doing what he loved almost more than practicing law – playing golf”.

Mr Munsch was involved in the 2001 bankruptcy proceedings for Houston-based Enron Corp, one of the largest energy companies in the world before its collapse.

The 67-year-old Mr Washburn was the
son of a Methodist minister and had recently been on the board of a US aged care home where his father had worked.

Investigations continue

Investigators who arrived at the crash scene on Tuesday will closely examine the site and wreckage, gathering recorded data including radio and radar, and interviewing witnesses.

The airport is close to the freeway, one of Melbourne’s biggest roads, and borders bustling, everyday suburbs in the city’s north-west.
The crash was the worst aviation crash in Victoria since 1978 when a light plane crashed into an Airport West home, killing six people.

Watch dash cam footage of the plane crash below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wKcErkD7lo

Trump prays for victims

US President Donald Trump’s thoughts and prayers are with the families of the five victims of the Melbourne plane crash.

“The president’s thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the US embassy and consulate are ready to provide necessary and appropriate assistance,” said White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Wednesday.