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Published 15:16 04 Jul 2026 GMT
An update has been given in the mystery surrounding the Missouri skydiving plane crash, which took the lives of 12 people in June.
A new report has been released, revealing that there were no major safety failures that could explain the aviation disaster.
The crash, which took place on June 14, saw all 11 skydivers and the pilot onboard fall to their deaths just five minutes after taking off from Butler Memorial Airport at around 11:25AM.
As the aircraft climbed through clear skies, it suddenly veered left near Business 49 Highway, with both wings becoming nearly perpendicular to the ground before crashing nose-first into a field, bursting into flames.
But weeks on from the tragedy, federal aviation investigators have made shocking discoveries which may suggest that it was human error.
According to a new report from the National Transportation Safety Board, there was no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical or engine malfunctions that would have brought down the aircraft.
The preliminary report, which was released on Thursday (July 2), also detailed that there was not sediment or debris contaminating the 38-foot plane’s fuel, according to a post-accident sample.
A review of the skydiving operator company's records and history also revealed that the aircraft met the official weight and balance requirements before setting off.
All the findings point towards the aircraft, a single-engine turboprop operated by Skydive Kansas City, apparently working regularly before it exploded into a fireball.
While the privately owned aircraft isn't required to carry a crashworthy voice or data recorder, like commercial airliners, investigators found damaged GoPro cameras in the wreckage.
They have since sent them to the lab for review, with the investigation still ongoing as per the NTSB, which stated that final reports can take over a year to complete in full.
Dennis Jacobs, the acting airport manager and Bates County Emergency Management Agency director, said after the crash that it may have been a failed emergency landing attempt.
He claimed: “In my opinion, I think it was losing power, and [the pilot] was trying to make it over to the highway and land, and he stalled and went down nose-first and caught fire.”
Tragically, relatives of those onboard were at the airport to watch them skydive, but instead witnessed the crash.
Among those who lost their lives was expert skydiver Jen Sharp, 55, who also served as the technology director for the United States Parachute Association.
Experienced skydiver and orchestra teacher Dave Hershberger and grandfather-of-six Mike Shanahan, who was set to complete his 23rd tandem jump, both 54, were also killed.
30-year-old Marcus Miller, a pipefitter from Lawrence, Kansas, also lost his life, reports the Kansas City Star.
Victim Matthew Swope, 39, was also an experienced skydiver who had completed more than 750 jumps in his life.
Dustin McKinney, 44, a father of two and videographer for Skydive KC, also died that fateful day.
Will Fischer, just 23, was one of four people who were about to complete a final jump to become a skydive instructor before the crash.
Nick Nash, an expert skydiver and instructor, as well as skydiver Dane Cordes, were also confirmed as victims.
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Three people have tragically lost their lives after a plane came crashing to the ground in Victoria, Minnesota, and burst into flames, The Sun reports.
On Saturday, August 7, at around 5:45 PM local time, a surgeon from Omaha, Nebraska, and two of his relatives from Wyoming died in the crash. The single-engine plane had crashed into a home, however, no one on the ground was injured.
The pilot, 72-year-0ld Dr. James Edney, a professor of surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, died alongside 42-year-old Jacob Mertes and his wife 37-year-old Sara Mertes.
Per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane departed the Alexandria Municipal Airport, with the intention of landing at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie when it sadly crashed into a vacant lot and a home.
According to the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB), investigators believe the plane was a Mooney M20M aircraft. An investigation is currently underway in order to determine the cause of the crash.
Robert Katz, a 40-year aviation veteran, certified flight instructor, and commercial pilot, has analyzed the deadly incident, listening to the audio communication between the pilot and traffic control in the lead up to the crash and watching video footage taken immediately after it occurred.
He told Star Tribune: "It's an absolute miracle that no one on the ground was hurt by this. Listening to audio of the pilot, he was clearly in trouble. I believe that as he was descending, he became disoriented in the clouds."
Mike Folkerts, NTSB air safety investigator for the central region, confirmed that three people had died during the crash and shared his condolences to the loved ones of the deceased.
Folkerts also revealed that Dr. Edney did not make a distress call but instead contacted the control tower for normal landing. He did, however, make a number of deviations from the planned route.
"Our hearts go out to them," he added.
A preliminary report on the crash will be released in about two weeks and the full report will take at least a year to complete.
An eight-year-old girl has tragically died after suffering a medical emergency on a commercial flight.
The young girl, identified as Sydney Weston by officials, was on SkyWest Flight 5121, which departed from Joplin, Missouri, on Thursday (June 13) at 6AM and was headed to Chicago.
Weston, who was flying with her family, suddenly became ill and unresponsive, which forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing at General Wayne A Downing Peoria International Airport at 7.02AM, as reported by The Independent.
"Her family immediately notified the flight personnel of her condition, and they began rapidly rendering aid," the coroner said, per Daily Mail.
The little girl, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her parents Whitney and Dan, and her older brother Evan.
Emergency services began performing “life-saving measures" after the plane touched down in Peoria, according to a statement from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Weston was then transferred from the airport to OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center seven miles away.
Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead at 8:05AM despite "aggressive resuscitative efforts".
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"Please keep the child's family and everyone who was involved in this traumatic experience in your thoughts and prayers," the Sheriff’s Office added.
United Flight 5121 was chartered by United Airlines, who contracted SkyWest, according to data from FlightAware.
“We appreciate the efforts of our crewmembers who responded quickly to assist and the medical personnel who met the aircraft,” a spokesperson for the aircraft told the New York Post.
The eight-year-old's autopsy has been scheduled for Friday and preliminary findings will be disclosed upon completion.
Her grandmother Teri Carlson shared a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook, where people have been leaving their condolences.
One person penned: "She was such a treasure... it just not real yet. I don't know that it ever will be. My love and hugs are with you all."
Another user added: "I’m so very sorry. My heart goes out to all of you. My family will be keeping all of yours in our prayers. Love and hugs."
Our thoughts are with Weston's family and friends at this time.
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The identity of the eight-year-old girl who died after suffering a medical emergency on a SkyWest Airlines flight has been released.
The tragedy took place on SkyWest Flight 5121, which departed from Joplin, Missouri, and was bound for Chicago on Thursday (June 13).
The aircraft left the airport at 5:51AM and was forced to make an emergency landing 42 minutes later at the Peoria International Airport in Illinois, per Flight Aware, which tracks flight paths.
According to reports, a little girl, who was flying with her family, suddenly became ill and unresponsive. "Her family immediately notified the flight personnel of her condition, and they began rapidly rendering aid," the coroner said, per Daily Mail.
The eight-year-old girl has been identified as Sydney Weston from Carl Junction, Missouri by officials. She was traveling with her parents Whitney and Dan, and her older brother Evan.
Upon landing in Peoria, Weston was not breathing and had no pulse, according to a statement from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.
She was rushed to OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center, which was seven miles away. Despite "aggressive resuscitative efforts,” she was pronounced dead at 8:05AM.
"Please keep the child's family and everyone who was involved in this traumatic experience in your thoughts and prayers," the sheriff's office added.
Weston's grandmother Teri Carlson took to Facebook to share a heartbreaking tribute to her beloved granddaughter.
The comment section has been flooded with people expressing their condolences to the young girl's family.
One person penned: "She was such a treasure... it just not real yet. I don't know that it ever will be. My love and hugs are with you all."
Another user said: "I’m so very sorry. My heart goes out to all of you. My family will be keeping all of yours in our prayers. Love and hugs," and third added: "What a beautiful little light. My heart is so broken for you and her family."
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A spokesperson for the aircraft released a statement regarding the tragic death: “We appreciate the efforts of our crewmembers who responded quickly to assist and the medical personnel who met the aircraft,” as cited by The New York Post.
Weston's autopsy has been scheduled for Friday and preliminary findings will be disclosed upon completion.
Our thoughts continue to be with the eight-year-old's family and friends at this devastating time.
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