The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released new information about a plane crash that took the lives of 11 skydivers and a pilot last month in Butler, Missouri. Federal investigators said there were no obvious problems that would have caused the plane to crash.
The plane
met the weight and balance limitations, according to the report, and fuel
samples were found to be clean with no sediment or debris present. The skydiving company had no concerns
with the pilot, who had been with them for two jump seasons.
Multiple
damaged GoPro cameras were recovered from the accident site and were
transported to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, the report says.
During the
initial climb, the report says the airplane began a gradual turn to the left. A
security video showed the airplane continuing to turn to the left, with both
wings eventually becoming perpendicular to the ground before crashing. The
report says the plane was consumed by fire when it crashed.
All of the
passengers on the aircraft died in the crash. They have since been identified.
It was also confirmed by the Bates County sheriff, Chad Anderson, that multiple
people had witnessed the tragedy, including family members of the victims. The NTSB
added that a final report with a probable cause of the crash and contributing
factors would also be released in about 12-18 months.
