US3 min(s) read
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.
