Seasoned pilot tried to turn back to airport after engine problems

THE pilot of the doomed flight to King Island was remembered yesterday as a “true gentleman” who had years of flying experience.

• Five killed in horror plane crash at Essendon Fields

THE pilot of the doomed flight to King Island was remembered yesterday as a “true gentleman” who had years of flying experience.

Max Quartermain, aged in his 60s, was at the controls of the plane, carrying four passengers, which crashed into the DFO complex at Essendon Fields shortly after takeoff.

He made two mayday calls in the moments before the plane crashed.

Experienced pilot Max Quartermain.

The passengers were four US tourists on their way to King Island, between Victoria and Tasmania, for a golfing trip.

Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane explained that Mr Quartermain had been trying to return to Essendon airport.

“A charter plane, a twin-engine plane, left the Essendon airport and shortly after takeoff had a catastrophic engine failure,” Mr Leane said.

“There was an attempt to return to Essendon but (it) has crashed into the DFO at Essendon Fields.”

Those who worked with Mr Quartermain paid tribute to “a great guy’’ and “a true gentleman” with more than 30 years’ flying experience.

Steve Atto said he had flown with Mr Quartermain, who was “most diligent”.

“We all trusted and enjoyed his company,” he wrote in an online tribute.

“Thoughts to his and the other families involved.”

“Truly a nice guy,” said another friend, Tony Milne.

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Michael Innes said he had flown with Mr Quartermain 30 to 40 times over many years.

“A wonderful person and one of Victoria’s most experienced charter pilots. A huge loss,” he said.

Mr Quartermain lived at Rye, on the Mornington Peninsula, with his wife, Cilla.

A neighbour told the Herald Sun: “I kept hearing her say ‘He’s gone, he’s gone’.”

The couple, who had nearly 40 years’ experience in five-star air charter services, operated Corporate and Leisure Aviation.

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A view from the tarmac at Melbourne's Essendon Airport is seen after a charter plane leaving the airport crashed. Picture: Getty Images

On September 3, 2015, Mr Quartermain was involved in a near miss near Mt Hotham airport, which is still being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

In an ATSB incident report, the other pilot claimed Mr Quartermain’s actions in coming within 1.8km of his plane were “unsafe”.

It was alleged Mr Quartermain’s plane had a faulty GPS system when he landed on the runway in the wrong direction, in heavy cloud and poor conditions. Passengers were left shaken.

The incident remains under ATSB investigation; a final report is expected by May.

A subsequent proficiency test found Mr Quartermain to be capable.

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CRASH PILOT ALREADY UNDER INVESTIGATION