A preliminary report from federal safety investigators found no indication of pre-crash mechanical malfunctions or engine failures that would have prevented the normal operation of the skydiving plane that crashed in Missouri last month, killing all 12 people on board. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its initial findings on Thursday, based on inspections of the wreckage.
The report also stated that a post-accident fuel sample showed no sediment or debris, and a review of the skydiving operator's software indicated the aircraft had met weight and balance limitations for the flight. The plane, a Pacific Aerospace 750XL built in 2010, was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, as such equipment is not required for this type of aircraft.
Investigators did recover damaged GoPro cameras from the wreckage, which are currently being examined. The NTSB noted that its investigation is ongoing, and a final report is typically completed within a year or more.
The crash occurred on June 14, approximately an hour south of Kansas City, shortly after the plane took off from Butler Memorial Airport. The aircraft, operated by Skydive Kansas City, began a gradual left turn during its initial climb, with both wings eventually becoming nearly perpendicular to the ground before the plane descended nose-first into a field and caught fire. The intense fire significantly damaged the aircraft's structure, cockpit, cabin, and fuel system.
Witnesses, including some family members of those on board, were present at the airport and observed the crash. Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager and director of the Bates County Emergency Management Agency, reported at the time that he believed the plane was losing power and that the pilot was attempting to land on a nearby highway.
Skydive Kansas City described the crash as a "devastating loss." The United States Parachute Association, the sport's governing body, confirmed that its technology director was among those killed. The association stated that Skydive Kansas City adheres to industry safety standards, including FAA maintenance requirements. The industry reports a strong safety record, with nearly 3.5 million jumps completed last year resulting in 16 civilian fatalities, the majority attributed to human error.
The NTSB has previously raised concerns about the oversight of skydiving operators, citing a 2019 crash in Hawaii that killed 11 people and led the agency to recommend stronger FAA regulatory systems. The Federal Aviation Administration has not yet adopted these recommendations but established a committee in April to propose safety enhancements for skydiving operations, which will consider the NTSB's proposals.
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with over 4,100 total flight hours and was in his second jump season with Skydive Kansas City. Investigators reported no prior concerns with the pilot, describing him as safety-oriented and conservative in his decision-making.