Recently, a tragic skydiving plane crash occurred in Missouri, claiming the lives of twelve people shortly after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport, located about an hour south of Kansas City. Family members watched in horror from the ground as the incident unfolded. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the crash and, while it’s too early to determine the exact cause, it has been noted that poor maintenance is often a contributing factor in similar incidents.
In the past, the NTSB has raised concerns over the weak oversight of the skydiving industry, suggesting that issues can go unnoticed due to lax regulations. For instance, just two years earlier, another skydiving plane crashed near the same location. Luckily, everyone on board managed to parachute to safety before the crash, which was caused by an emergency parachute handle getting caught on the plane.
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Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti, who has experience with both the NTSB and FAA, pointed out that many skydiving crash investigations reveal a pattern of insufficient maintenance and a lack of safety culture. The rules that govern the skydiving industry are not as stringent as those for commercial airlines or charter services, allowing safety issues to persist.
“These skydiving operations don’t have the best maintenance to ensure airworthy frames and engines because they don’t undergo the same scrutiny as air charter services,” Guzzetti noted. This lack of oversight can be deadly.
In a past investigation of a 2019 crash in Hawaii that killed 11, the NTSB found that a wing had been damaged in a previous incident and had never been repaired. Inspections by the FAA failed to identify this significant issue.
From 1980 to 2008, the NTSB reviewed 32 skydiving accidents and identified recurring maintenance problems and inadequate pilot training programs. However, the FAA has not implemented the recommended changes to enhance safety standards for skydiving operations.
Despite these concerns, the skydiving industry emphasizes its overall safety record. In 2022, only 16 civilian fatalities were reported out of approximately 3.47 million skydives, translating to a rate of 0.46 deaths per 100,000 jumps. Historically, the number of skydiving deaths peaked in the late 1970s and has been gradually declining since then.
The aircraft involved in Sunday’s crash was a single-engine turboprop Pacific Aerospace 750XL, favored for skydiving due to its removable seats that create ample space for jumpers. This plane can take off and land in less than 800 feet, making it suitable for small airports, and it can carry significant loads even in challenging conditions. According to FAA records, the plane was manufactured in 2010.
Skydive Kansas City operated the crashed plane and is part of the Bucketlist Experience group, which claims to prioritize safety by teaching newcomers the fundamentals of safe skydiving practices. The goal is to help people enjoy the thrilling experience of flying through the sky while ensuring they understand the necessary safety measures.
