Preliminary report on Missouri crash that killed 11 skydivers and pilot finds no mechanical issues

The aircraft began a slight turn to the left during the initial climb, and the wings eventually became perpendicular to the ground. It slammed into the ground, nose down, and burst into flames.

By Kevin Killough

Published: July 3, 2026 2:46pm

A preliminary report on a fiery plane crash that killed all 12 people on board, including 11 skydivers, found no indication of pre-crash mechanical malfunctions or failures.

The National Transportation Safety Board issued the report on Thursday. Tests of the aircraft's fuel after the crash found no sediment or debris, and the skydiving business operators’ software showed the plane met weight and balance limitations for the flight, the Associated Press reported.

The plane did not have a flight recorder — often referred to as a black box — like those on airliners, and it wasn't required to have one, according to the report. The NTSB has recovered damaged GoPro cameras from the wreckage.

The accident occurred on June 14, about an hour south of Kansas City, Missouri. The plane took off carrying the skydivers from Butler Memorial Airport about a half hour before noon on a clear day.

The aircraft began a slight turn to the left during the initial climb, and the wings eventually became perpendicular to the ground. It slammed into the ground, nose down, and burst into flames, NTSB investigators said.