No mechanical issues found before deadly Butler skydiving plane crash

BUTLER, Mo. (KMIZ)

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board is providing new details about the plane crash that killed 12 people near Butler, Missouri, last month.

According to the report, the aircraft was preparing for its third skydiving flight of the day when it crashed shortly after takeoff.

Around 7:30 a.m., the airport's operations manager collected a fuel sample while the pilot completed a pre-flight inspection. The report said no issues were identified during those checks. Before takeoff, the pilot also reviewed wind speeds and wind direction at various altitudes.

Between 9:20-10:32 a.m., the pilot successfully completed two skydiving flights, transporting a total of 19 parachutists without incident, per the report. Just before 11 a.m., the airplane was refueled with 60 gallons of fuel. At approximately 11:25 a.m., the aircraft departed on its third flight of the day.

According to the preliminary report, security camera footage shows the airplane making a slight left turn shortly after takeoff. The aircraft continued turning left until it crashed into a grass field. The impact sparked a fire.

Investigators examined the wreckage and reported finding no evidence of a mechanical failure involving the engine or its major components.

The NTSB also noted the plane was not required to be equipped with either a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder. According to the airplane's Pilot's Operating Handbook, the aircraft had a maximum allowable takeoff weight of 7,500 pounds.

Investigators also learned the pilot routinely used a small personal clipboard to record passenger load information and fuel calculations. However, that clipboard was not found in the wreckage.

The report said the airport's operations manager told investigators the pilot was in his second consecutive season flying skydiving operations out of Butler Memorial Airport. The manager described the pilot as safety-oriented and conservative in his decision-making.

The NTSB's investigation remains ongoing. The preliminary report does not determine the cause of the crash. A final report, which will include the agency's findings on the probable cause of the accident and any contributing factors, is expected at a later date.