Dreams, Dedication and a Life Gone Too Soon: Indian Engineer Among 12 Victims in Missouri
HYDERABAD: A 24-year-old Indian technology professional was among 12 people who died after a skydiving aircraft crashed shortly after take-off in Missouri, United States, authorities said.
Authorities identified Sai Karthik Varma Datla as the only Indian national among the victims. The crash occurred at Butler Memorial Airport in Bates County, about 80 miles south of Kansas City.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Datla worked as a technology professional in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He earned a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Central Missouri and built a career in healthcare technology.
Datla worked at AdventHealth and previously served at Capgemini. During his career, he handled cloud migration, automation and software deployment projects. He moved to the US for higher studies before establishing himself in the technology sector.
The United States Parachute Association confirmed that its technology director, Jen Sharp, also died in the crash.
Aircraft crashed shortly after take-off
Datla and several experienced skydivers boarded a 2010 Pacific Aerospace 750XL aircraft. The plane crashed shortly after departing Butler Memorial Airport just before 11.30 am local time on Sunday.
Federal investigators said all 12 people on board, including the pilot and 11 skydivers, died when the aircraft crashed in a field and caught fire.
Authorities said the aircraft turned back soon after take-off for reasons that remain unclear. It then lost control and crashed within airport property.
Witnesses told investigators that the aircraft climbed to about 100 feet before making an abrupt left turn and crashing.
Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager at Butler Memorial Airport, said the aircraft appeared to lose power. He said the pilot may have attempted an emergency landing near a highway. The plane then stalled and plunged nose-first into the ground.
Investigation under way
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Vice Chairman Michael Graham said investigators were interviewing witnesses and collecting photographs and videos related to the crash.
He said investigators had not yet determined the exact cause of the accident.
The aircraft did not carry a flight data recorder, commonly known as a black box. Such devices are standard on many commercial aircraft. Investigators will examine other available devices and evidence to determine what caused the crash.
The Pacific Aerospace 750XL is a single-engine turboprop aircraft widely used for skydiving operations. Operators prefer it because it can quickly reach parachuting altitudes and operate from short runways.
Flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft, built in 2010, completed nine successful flights in the days before the crash. It also completed two flights on Sunday morning before the accident.
