Victorian grandfather John Stephenson loved to fly and his passion for the open skies helped others spread their wings as well.

Shocked family and friends of the 77-year-old, who died when his home-built RV-6A light plane smashed into a Melbourne home, say he was generous and a very experienced aviator.

“John was a loving husband, treasured father-of-four and inspirational grandfather who will be greatly missed,” his family said on Wednesday.

“He was a very experienced pilot whose enthusiasm, energy and optimism for life was enjoyed and loved by all who knew him.”

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The family also said they were grateful no-one else was injured when the plane nosedived towards the beachside suburb of Chelsea on Tuesday, clipping the side of a home before bursting into flames.

Mr Stephenson bravely directed his plane away from a busy shopping strip and children’s park, managing to avoid powerlines and end up in a laneway, the Country Fire Authority said.

John Stephenson, 77, died when his amateur-built RV-6A plane hit the corner of a Chelsea home. Photo: Supplied

His friend and fellow flyer Stuart Trist, who runs the Sports Aircraft Association of Australia Moorabbin chapter, said Mr Stephenson was a true professional both in the air and on the ground.

He said the fit and active pilot would happily pitch in to help other members build their planes, often lending his tools out to others.

“He loved his flying, he was very happy to see other people share that enjoyment,” Mr Trist told AAP.

“It was a terrible shock to everybody. We all considered John to be one of the most professional of pilots, he was highly qualified.”

Mr Stephenson had flown his plane successfully for about five years, and he taxied out of Moorabbin Airport on Tuesday with plans to fly back there later in the day.

Mr Trist said Mr Stephenson’s plane was beautifully crafted and maintained, and had been through the rigorous process required for plane building including a testing period and checks by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

“He was an expert pilot,” he said.

“But with any piece of equipment, any aircraft, faults can arise.”

Investigators at the site will spend up to three days sifting through the wreckage and talking to witnesses.

Chelsea woman Herta Nebert was treated for shock after the single-engine machine careened into her home.

A group of nearby Moorabbin residents say it was a disaster waiting to happen and have called on authorities to reduce the amount of flight training at the airport, saying the area’s population is increasing and future incidents could be even worse.