Investigators: Man Killed at Massachusetts Airport had Jumped off Wing

Federal investigators say a Beverly Municipal Airport flight instructor who died after coming into contact with a spinning propellor had just jumped off the wing of his own plane.

The preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report says Michael Costales was going to the aid of another flight instructor and student trying to close and lock the canopy in another plane as they waited to take off on Aug. 27.

The Salem News reports that investigators say Costales opened the door of his own plane and “jumped off the leading edge of the wing” before coming into contact with the propellor.

The 30-year-old Weymouth man was killed instantly. He was the head flight instructor for the Beverly Flight Center with 3,400 hours of flight experience.

A final report is expected within 12 months.