BUTLER, Missouri: A Missouri plane crash killed all 12 people aboard on Sunday after a skydiving aircraft went down shortly after takeoff near Butler Memorial Airport, authorities said. The victims included 11 skydivers and the pilot.
The aircraft, operated by Skydive Kansas City, crashed near the airport about 60 miles south of Kansas City. Emergency crews rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a plane engulfed in flames.
Missouri State Highway Patrol officers, local police, and sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash site. Authorities said all occupants died in the accident.
The skydiving company later confirmed the fatalities and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. Officials have not released the names of those killed pending notification of next of kin.
Aircraft Failed to Gain Altitude
Airport officials said the single-engine turboprop took off around 11:20 a.m. local time. Witnesses reported that the aircraft struggled to climb before making a sharp left turn.
Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager and Bates County emergency management director, said the plane crashed roughly 300 yards from the runway. Preliminary information suggests the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude after departure.
Authorities said some family members witnessed the crash from the ground. Emergency responders quickly extinguished a fire that erupted after impact.
Federal Agencies Launch Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have opened an investigation into the crash. The NTSB identified the aircraft as a Pacific Aerospace 750XL.
Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson described the incident as an apparent accident involving a local aircraft rather than a commercial airliner. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, maintenance records, weather conditions, and pilot information.
The NTSB said investigators will arrive at the scene on Monday. A final report determining the probable cause could take up to two years.
