Plane involved in deadly crash that killed 12 completed successful flights earlier that day, report shows

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV/Gray News) - The skydiving plane that crashed shortly after takeoff in Missouri, killing all 11 passengers and a pilot on board, was about to perform its third jump flight of the day.

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board detailed that the plane took a nosedive and crashed into a grass field.

The NTSB stated that Skydive Kansas City had planned eight parachute jump flights that day. The first flight, carrying the pilot and nine passengers, departed at 9:20 a.m. June 14 and landed without incident. A second flight carrying the pilot and 10 passengers departed at 10:32 a.m. and also completed successfully, the NTSB reported.

A post-accident examination found all major structural components of the airframe at the site, but most sustained significant thermal damage from the fire. The elevator, rudder, and yaw trim control systems were among the components heavily damaged.

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The airplane’s turboprop engine showed internal contact signatures consistent with the engine developing power at the time of impact, according to the report. Investigators found no indications of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures to any engine components.

A post-accident fuel sample from the operator’s fuel truck showed the Jet A fuel was clean with no sediment or debris.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate and had accumulated more than 4,100 total flight hours. His most recent flight review was completed Oct. 5, 2025. The operator said the pilot worked as a contractor and was in his second consecutive jump pilot season with the operation. The operator reported no prior concerns with the pilot, describing him as safety-oriented and conservative in his decision-making.

The NTSB has not yet revealed a probable cause determination of the crash.