NTSB Says Butler Skydiving Crash Killed 12 on 3rd Flight After 2 Safe Trips
Updated
Updated · KCTV 5 · Jul 3
NTSB Says Butler Skydiving Crash Killed 12 on 3rd Flight After 2 Safe Trips
3 articles · Updated · KCTV 5 · Jul 3
Summary
Twelve people died when a skydiving plane crashed nose-first into a grass field shortly after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport on June 14, during its third parachute jump flight of the day.
Two earlier flights had landed safely, and Skydive Kansas City had planned eight jump runs that day; the crash came after the pilot and 9 passengers flew at 9:20 a.m. and the pilot and 10 passengers flew again at 10:32 a.m.
NTSB investigators found the turboprop engine was producing power at impact, with no sign of pre-impact engine failure or contaminated Jet A fuel, though fire heavily damaged key control-system components.
The pilot held a commercial certificate, had more than 4,100 flight hours and no reported prior concerns; the NTSB has not yet determined the probable cause.