The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) dispatched a team to investigate the February 21 crash of a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, which left five dead after it struck a shopping center in Melbourne, Victoria. The 1996 King Air, Australian registered VH-ZCR, had departed Essendon Airport in Melbourne on a charter flight to King Island, but crashed into the Direct Factory Outlet center shortly after takeoff and burst into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot and four passengers died in the accident. The accident occurred shortly before 9 a.m., before the center had opened. No one was in the building at the time of the accident, the Victoria State Police said.
According to multiple news reports, the pilot was Australian Max Quartermain, 63, co-owner (with his wife) of charter operator Corporate and Leisure Aviation, the registered owner of the King Air. The passengers were from the U.S. and reportedly were headed to a golf outing. According to news reports, the pilot reported an engine failure after takeoff.
A team of four ATSB investigators traveled to the site to examine the area and wreckage, gather recorded data (including radio and radar) and interview witnesses, the agency said.