Two people have died in a light plane crash northwest of Melbourne when their plane exploded in flames moments after taking off.
John Fisher and David Oxley, both aged in their 60s and experienced aviators, were flying in a vintage Tiger Moth when it clipped trees as it took off from Maryborough Airport on Friday afternoon.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen told AAP paramedics were called to the scene at 5.10pm (AEDT), where two people were found dead at the crash site.
Witnesses saw a "ball of flames" before the plane crashed, the Herald Sun reports.
Angie Clarke, a Maryborough Aero Club member and friend of the two men, said the pilot Mr Fisher had a passion for flying.
"It's absolutely tragic," Ms Clarke said.
"He was such a fantastic man, really. He just loved planes and anything to do with planes. He had the energy, the curiosity and the interest."
Mr Fisher had two daughters and lived with his wife on a vineyard in Harcourt.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesman Stuart Godley said three investigators, two from Canberra and one from Perth, would arrive at the scene of the crash, which killed the pilot and his male passenger, by Saturday morning.
They will prepare an initial report on the crash within 30 days, he said.
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