A woman was killed Saturday at a Kansas airfield when she was backed into a plane’s propeller while trying to take a photo, officials said.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office said the woman suffered serious injuries and died at a hospital, NBC affiliate KSNW in Wichita reported. The sheriff’s office identified her as Amanda Gallagher, 37, of Wichita.
The sheriff’s office did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
Air Capital Drop Zone, a Kansas-based skydiving company, said in a statement Monday that Gallagher was on board its flight as an observer for a photo shoot.
“After the plane landed, for unknown reasons it moved to the front of the wing as the next group of jumpers boarded. This violated basic safety procedures,” the statement said. “As she raised her camera to take a photo, she backed away slightly toward the spinning propeller and entered it.”
Company owner Martin Myrtle said Ms Gallagher was beautiful “inside and out” and her death had a “significant” impact on the Dropzone community.
“Her presence at DZ was welcomed and loved,” Myrtle said.
Cook Field, a private airport in Derby, about 25 miles south of Wichita, confirmed her death on Facebook and asked its followers to remember her friends and family.
This airfield is also home to the Air Capital Drop Zone.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the young woman who died yesterday in a tragic accident involving an airplane propeller at Cook Field,” the airfield said in a statement.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Gallagher’s family with funeral costs, and he has been described as kind, adventurous and creative.
“She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend and will be greatly missed,” the website said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement Monday that it will investigate along with the National Transportation Safety Board.
