A plane carrying skydivers crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday morning near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri, killing all 12 people on board. The tragedy unfolded around 11:30 a.m. on airport property, according to Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson.
The aircraft was operated by Skydive Kansas City and was carrying 11 skydivers and one pilot. In a statement, the company confirmed the flight was part of its skydiving business.
“This is a devastating loss for everyone connected to Skydive Kansas City and for the wider skydiving community. Our deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and loved ones of all who were lost,” the company said.
Dennis Jacobs, manager of Butler Memorial Airport and director of Bates County Emergency Management, told KMBC that the plane was carrying nine experienced skydivers, two tandem jumpers, and a pilot.
He said the aircraft had just taken off when it began a turn and then nosedived into the ground about 300 yards from the runway.
Sheriff Anderson described the impact as catastrophic.
“Our hearts go out to them. There’s nothing you can say to make it better. We just pray for their loved ones, their families and they can recover some sense of normalcy. Same thing with the first responders,” he said.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed all 12 people aboard died. Federal investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to remain in Butler for several days to document the scene and begin examining what led to the crash.
Investigation And Next Steps
Skydive Kansas City said it is cooperating fully with local authorities and federal investigators. The company added that the names of those killed will not be released until relatives have been notified.
The crash has shaken the skydiving community nationwide, with tributes pouring in for the victims.
Investigators will now focus on the aircraft’s condition, flight records, and weather factors to determine the cause of the accident.
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