Pilot error blamed for deadly Essendon DFO plane crash

Pilot error was responsible for a plane crash that killed five people in Melbourne last year, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has found.

The plane crash damaged the DFO building at Essendon and killed five people in February 2017. (AAP)

A Melbourne plane crash that killed all five people on board could have been prevented if the pilot followed pre-flight check lists, an investigation has 

found.

Max Quartermain crashed shortly after take off as he flew four American passengers on a golfing holiday out of Essendon Airport on February 21 last year.

Fire crew at the scene where a light plane crashed into the back of a DFO building at Essendon airport in Melbourne. Source: AAP

An investigation by the aviation watchdog found the pilot failed to complete checklists before take off, meaning he crucially did not detect the plane's 

rudder trim was in nose-left position before takeoff.

This hampered the plane's ability to ascend, causing it to plunge into a DFO shopping centre building about 10 seconds after takeoff.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau probe found the pilot had five opportunities in various pre-flight checks to recognise that the trim tab, which 

helps control the aircraft movement, was not in a neutral position.

"It appears as if the checklist was not followed correctly," ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood said on Monday.