LANA ZAK:
00:01:14
Bailey Reed witnessed the horrific crash with her boys. The ground and trees around. It exploded, and it just lit up in flames. So when people ask why there were no parachutes deployed? They didn't have time to jump. They were so low to the ground, the parachutes wouldn't have deployed, and there was no way anyone could have jumped and survived that.
LANA ZAK:
00:01:33
Family members of those on board, there to cheer on their loved ones, also saw the tragedy unfold. Our hearts go out to them. There's nothing we really can say to make it better.
LANA ZAK:
00:01:43
An airport official told the New York Timeswhen the plane failed to gain altitude, it appeared that the pilot tried unsuccessfully to land on the road. I think key to this investigation is going to be looking at the mechanical condition of the airplane itself, the engine.
LANA ZAK:
00:01:58
Robert Sumwalt is the former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating. They'll be looking at the training of the pilot. They'll also be looking at the FAA oversight to see if the FAA was providing adequate surveillance over this particular operation. Since this is a parachute operation and not a commercial operation, oftentimes, the FAA doesn't have the resources to oversee small operations like this. Now, the private plane was operated by Skydiving Kansas City. In a statement, they said, "This is a devastating loss for everyone. The entire team is in shock." This town is so small, Butler doesn't have an airport tower that was actually in communication with the pilot. So, Errol, we're waiting for the NTSB to be on site later today for some more answers. Errol. Such a tragedy and a mystery there. Lana, thank you.
