Expert Suspects Engine Problem Likely Cause of Butler Plane Crash That Killed 12

Investigators believe engine trouble is the likely cause of Sunday's crash at Butler Memorial Airport that killed 11 skydivers and a pilot. Bates County authorities said the Pacific Aerospace single-engine turboprop, built in 2010 and based locally, went down during takeoff at about 11:27 a.m. The aircraft was registered as a 10-person plane, though two crew seats are not counted in that total, and officials stressed there was no immediate evidence of overload. Mary Schiavo, a former U.S. DOT inspector general, told The Star that the aircraft's age is not extreme for skydiving operations, making an engine failure a plausible initial theory.

Schiavo remarked that the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 engine powering the plane is capable, and that under normal operation it would not be underpowered. She described the plane as a typical skydiving aircraft and noted that a loss of power during takeoff, followed by a turn, can lead to a stall. Authorities said the plane was turning left when it stalled near Interstate 49 Business, just south of the airport. While investigators examine weight, balance, maintenance, and potential mechanical issues, the possibility of an engine failure remains a leading explanation for the tragedy.