NTSB Finds No Engine Fault in Missouri Skydiving Crash That Killed 12
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 3
NTSB Finds No Engine Fault in Missouri Skydiving Crash That Killed 12
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 3
Summary
A preliminary NTSB report found no sign of engine failure or contaminated fuel in the June skydiving plane crash near Butler, Missouri, that killed all 12 people aboard.
Security video showed the plane take off at 11:25 a.m., begin a gradual left turn, keep turning until its wings were nearly perpendicular to the ground, then crash nose-first near the runway and catch fire.
The aircraft had completed two earlier skydiving trips that morning, flew in clear weather, met weight-and-balance limits, and had just refueled with 60 gallons before the third of eight scheduled flights.
The pilot had more than 4,100 flight hours and no known safety concerns, but investigators lack cockpit clues because the private commercial plane was not required to carry a voice or data recorder.
The findings leave the cause unresolved, and a full NTSB report is expected to take months or longer.