Aircraft involved in Melbourne plane crash had ‘cleared safety check’

The light aircraft involved in today’s Melbourne plane tragedy had recently cleared a safety check and had a ‘very good record’, an aviation expert has said.

The Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft that crashed into DFO shopping centre this morning had recently passed a safety check at Essendon Airport, Geoffrey Thomas, Aviation Editor from The West Australian newspaper, told 9NEWS.

Mr Thomas said sources from the airport had also told him pilot Max Quatermain was re-endorsed.

He speculated the engine failure may have caused the plane to stall before crashing.

“It appears to have lost power in the left-hand engine,” Mr Thomas said.

“It wasn’t fully loaded with five people and golf buggies on board, and had enough fuel to get to King Island and back.”

READ MORE: Veteran pilot was flying golfers to King Island when plane crashed into Essendon DFO

Around two hundred of the same model of aircraft have crashed worldwide, according to Mr Thomas.

However, thousands of King Air have been made since the late 1970s.

“It is very popular and had a very good safety record. The King Air is used for charter airlines and small aircraft across the globe.”

He said “the main reason”  behind the crashes was because they were used in rudimentary airports.

“Most of the accidents are more to do with airfields.

“They are used in the far corners of the globe, where airports do not have the same facilities.

“It’s used in some pretty rugged operations, which could lead to a higher attrition rate of the aircraft.”

Mr Thomas said the investigation into the fatal incident may take “months and months” to determine the cause.