12 Killed in Missouri Skydiving Plane Crash
Missouri skydiving plane crash
All 12 people on board a private aircraft died on Sunday, June 14, 2026, when their plane crashed shortly after takeoff near the Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri. The flight, which was conducting a skydiving outing, departed around 11:30 a.m. local time before encountering issues and attempting to turn back. The aircraft, identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Pacific Aerospace P750, crashed in a nearby field and was engulfed in fire. Authorities, including the Bates County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, confirmed that there were no survivors.
The tragic incident occurred approximately 60 miles south of Kansas City. Sheriff Chad Anderson stated that family members of the victims were present at the airport and witnessed the crash, leading to a coordinated effort by local clergy and volunteers to provide support. While the cause of the accident remains under investigation, officials have noted that there is no evidence of foul play or criminal activity. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken lead on the investigation and is currently gathering evidence from the scene to determine the precise factors that led to the crash.
This event has deeply affected the local community and the wider skydiving network. Skydive Kansas City, the organization associated with the operation, expressed its profound grief in a statement, emphasizing that their priority is to assist federal investigators and support the families of those lost. The Butler Memorial Airport and the adjacent highway were closed to facilitate the investigation. As the NTSB continues its review of the maintenance and operational history of the aircraft, this tragedy renews discussions regarding safety standards for skydiving flights. You can follow ongoing updates on the NTSB investigation and further reports here.
