The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau is investigating a light plane crash that killed three people in eastern Victoria

Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators will arrive on Monday at the scene of a plane crash that killed a 20-year-old pilot and two teenagers in Victoria’s east on Saturday night.

The light aircraft crashed in a paddock near Heyfield-Upper Maffra Road in West Tinamba at around 5.45pm on Saturday.

The pilot and the 16-year-old boy from Tongala’s Goulburn Valley town and the 15-year-old boy from Tinamba West died at the scene.

The ATSB said the plane “crashed into land in the paddock and was destroyed by post-impact fire.”

ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said a team of inspectors would arrive at the site on Monday.

“This is a very tragic outcome that will have huge impacts on the families of those involved,” he said.

He said the investigation would “look at issues such as the aircraft itself, the history and maintenance of the aircraft, the pilot, qualifications and experience”.

“The focus of the early stage investigation is to understand the sequence of events and then we begin to look at all the contributing factors that led to this terrible tragedy,” Mr Mitchell said.

As part of the investigation, investigators will try to seize recording devices and phones on the plane, the official said.

The ATSB said the plane was an amateur-built, four-seater light aircraft and was understood to be about 10 years old.

The ATSB has asked anyone who witnessed the crash to contact them. The first report on the crash is expected in approximately six to eight weeks.

Flight instructor Lorraine MacGillivray said the crash was a shocking tragedy.

“I met these young men. My heart absolutely aches for their families whose lives have been changed forever,” he said.

“In my conversations with the pilot, he was diligent, dedicated and passionate about flying.

“He was also a flight instructor… they were all absolutely wonderful people. This is a terrible loss.”

Ms MacGillivray said she was working “to find out why these accidents occur and to prevent them from occurring in the future”.

“This needs to stop. Just as we cannot prevent every car accident, we cannot prevent every accident, but we must try very hard,” he said.

He said he was concerned about the frequency of plane crashes.

“It seems to be becoming a little too mainstream lately. Many of us in the industry are really trying to understand why,” he said.

“This does not appear to be related to any particular type of aircraft or specific experience level of the pilot.”

Victoria Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner and asked anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.