Regular pilot Max Quartermain was at the controls of the light plane carrying five people that smashed into the DFO shopping complex next to Essendon Airport and exploded into flames on Tuesday morning.
Mr Quartermain and all four passengers were killed in the crash.
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Essendon DFO plane crash: what we know so far
Five people have been killed after a light charter plane crashes into a DFO shopping centre shortly after taking off from Essendon Airport, in what is being called Victoria's worst air disaster in 30 years.
Two of the passengers killed were Greg De Haven and Russell Munsch. Both are believed to be from Texas.
It has been reported Mr De Haven, 70, was a retired FBI agent, while Mr Munsch was a founding partner of Munsch Hardt law firm.
Both were identified in Facebook posts made by relatives in the US.
The other two passengers on the twin-engined plane were also Americans and had organised a golfing trip on one of King Island's three golf courses.
It is understood that consular officials from the US embassy attended the crash scene on Tuesday morning.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who died in today's crash," an embassy spokeswoman told Fairfax Media.Â
![Max Quartermain, operator of Corporate and Leisure Aviation.](/web/20170223231616im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/h/k/q/x/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.guhmwi.png/1487723483528.jpg)
The plane took off and got to an altitude of about 30 metres before veering left and crashing into the DFO shopping complex.
Mr Quartermain made two mayday calls before impact.
Police suspect "catastrophic engine failure".
Mr Quartermain, 63, has been hailed as a "champion bloke" and a "fine pilot" by friends and colleagues, who were shocked by his tragic death.Â
"Max was one of the Essendon family, and we're sad and we miss him," said Mike Falls snr, managing director and chief pilot at Shortstop Jet Charter.
"We feel the loss of part of the family very deeply."
Friend Bart Crawley described Mr Quartermain as "incredibly thoughtful, caring, supportive, and very responsible. You certainly always felt safe when he was behind the wheel".
"He's a fantastic guy and it's going to be a huge loss. He'll be missed".
Mr Quartermain gave fellow pilot Peter Mathew his start in the industry, flying fishing charters out to Flinders Island. On Monday Mr Mathew paid tribute to his friend.
"He gave me my start as a young pilot. He was a true gentleman. He was very honest, a very reliable person. Nothing ever got him down".
Aero engineer and pilot of 50 years Bob MacGillivray runs Edge Aviation, which offers flight training and consulting, said he had known Mr Quartermain for 20 years.
He said Mr Quartermain had a good reputation in the aviation industry.
"He was well established in the industry, he has been around for a long time, everyone in the industry knows him," he said.
"I have never heard anything negative said about him." Â
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The plane was operated by Essendon-based charter company Corporate and Leisure Aviation.Â
Mr Quartermain and his wife Cilla are the owners of Corporate and Leisure Aviation, which had arranged theKing Island trip.
The company's website states that Mr Quartermain was the holder and operator of an Air Operations Certificate for more than 38 years and had an "impeccable safety record".
A spokesman for the company said that they were unable to make any comment until they had received confirmation from Victoria Police.
More to come.