NTSB: Cause Of Wingwalker's Fatal Texas Crash Undetermined

The National Transportation Safety Board says it can't determine exactly what caused the crash of an airplane during a Texas air show, which eventually cost a wingwalker her life.

Amanda Franklin was badly burned in the crash at Brownsville-South Padre International Airport on March 12, 2011.  She died on May 27.

Amanda was performing as a wingwalker with her husband Kyle Franklin at the controls, when the engine of their Waco UPF-7 biplane suddenly quit.  Amanda was able to crawl back into the front cockpit of the plane before Kyle made a crash landing, but was critically burned when the wreckage caught fire after impact.  Kyle was also seriously hurt, but recovered from his injuries.

According to its final report on the crash, the NTSB says the probable cause of the accident was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

According to the Franklins' web site, the engine in the Waco was built by Tulsa Aircraft Engines.  The NTSB used the same company to test the engine after the crash.  After repairing the structural damage caused by the crash, the investigator was able to run the engine and found no anomalies.

3/23/2011: Related Story: NTSB: Aircraft Engine From Wing Walking Crash To Be Examined In Tulsa