Preliminary NTSB Report Finds No Engine Failure in Missouri Skydiving Plane Crash
Federal safety investigators have released a preliminary report stating that engine failure was not the cause of a plane crash during a skydiving outing last month in Missouri. The accident resulted in the tragic loss of all 12 individuals on board, including several experienced jumpers.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shared the report on Thursday, highlighting that they found no serious safety or mechanical failures that could have led to the crash. The accident occurred just after takeoff under clear skies.
According to the NTSB, initial inspections of the severely damaged wreckage and flight records did not indicate any pre-crash mechanical malfunctions or engine failures. The engine was reportedly producing power at the time of the crash.
Jeff Guzzetti, president of Guzzetti Aviation Risk Discovery, expressed surprise at the findings. “I was surprised that they had determined that the engine was producing power,” he said, having initially suspected a potential engine problem and an attempted return to the airport.
The federal agency also confirmed that fuel samples taken from the fuel truck showed no sediment or debris, and that the skydiving business operators’ software indicated the airplane met the weight and balance limitations for the flight.
No concerns were raised regarding the weather or the pilot, who had over 4,100 total flight hours and was in his second consecutive jump season with Skydive Kansas City.
The airplane lacked a crashworthy voice or data recorder, such as those found in commercial aircraft, and was not required to have one. However, investigators retrieved damaged GoPro cameras from the wreckage.
The NTSB investigation is ongoing, with final reports often taking a year or more to complete.
The crash took place on June 14, about an hour south of Kansas City, involving a Pacific Aerospace 750XL. The plane, carrying a pilot and 11 skydivers, took off from Butler Memorial Airport at 11:25 a.m.
During the initial climb, the plane turned gradually to the left, causing the wings to become nearly perpendicular to the ground. This position rendered them incapable of producing sufficient aerodynamic lift, resulting in the plane’s nose-down crash into a field and subsequent ignition.
The fire severely damaged the aircraft’s major structural elements, cockpit, cabin, and fuel system. Some family members of the deceased were present at the airport to watch the jump and witnessed the tragedy unfold.
The United States Parachute Association confirmed that its technology director, Jen Sharp, was among the victims. Skydive Kansas City described the crash as a “devastating loss.”
Poor maintenance is often a factor in skydiving plane crashes. The NTSB has previously raised concerns about inadequate oversight of skydiving operators. Following a 2019 crash, the agency stated that the FAA’s regulatory system failed to ensure skydiving flight safety.
Although the Federal Aviation Administration has not yet adopted NTSB recommendations, it formed a committee in April to evaluate safety enhancements and consider proposals from the safety board.
The United States Parachute Association affirmed that Skydive Kansas City complies with safety standards set by the global skydiving organization, including all FAA maintenance requirements.
The skydiving industry asserts a strong safety record, with nearly 3.5 million jumps completed last year, resulting in 16 civilian fatalities, mainly due to human error.
The plane involved in the crash was built in 2010 and had completed two successful flights earlier on the morning of the incident. It is a popular model for skydiving and is certified for operation by a single pilot.