Twelve people were killed after a skydiving plane crashed in a field shortly after takeoff and burst into flames, authorities said.
The crash happened Sunday morning near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri. Officials said the aircraft was carrying one pilot and 11 passengers on a skydiving outing when it went down at around 11:30 a.m.
Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson said some family members of the people on board witnessed the crash. Emergency crews quickly responded to the scene, where the wreckage was found in a grassy area near the airport.
Aircraft Went Down After Takeoff
Authorities said the plane had just taken off from the local airport before it crashed. Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager and director of the Bates County Emergency Management Agency, said the aircraft appeared to make a left turn after takeoff.
Jacobs said it seemed the plane may have been losing power before it went down. He said it appeared the pilot may have been trying to reach a highway for an emergency landing before the aircraft stalled, crashed nose-first, and caught fire.
Emergency responders extinguished the fire soon after arriving. Officials also checked the area beneath the flight path and did not find anyone who may have jumped from the aircraft before the crash.
Victims Being Identified
Officials were working Sunday afternoon to identify all victims and notify their families. Clergy and volunteers were also sent to the scene to support relatives.
Sheriff Anderson said the public was not in danger and that the crash appeared to be an accident. However, the exact cause has not yet been determined.
The Federal Aviation Administration had officials at the scene, and a National Transportation Safety Board team was also headed to the area to begin a full investigation.
Plane Operated By Skydiving Company
The private aircraft was operated by Skydive Kansas City, according to officials. The plane was identified as a single-engine turboprop Pacific Aerospace 750XL.
The model is commonly used for skydiving, cargo transport, aerial surveying, and medical evacuation flights. FAA records show the aircraft was built in 2010.
Flight-tracking data showed the plane had already completed two short flights earlier Sunday before the fatal crash. It also logged successful flights on Saturday and Friday.
Investigation Could Take Time
Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Justin Ewing said investigators do not yet know what factors contributed to the crash.
Aviation safety experts said past skydiving plane crashes have sometimes raised concerns about maintenance and safety oversight. However, officials have not identified any cause in this case.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s final report may take a year or longer to complete.
Airport And Highway Remain Closed
Butler Memorial Airport and the nearby highway were expected to remain closed while federal investigators worked at the scene.
The small airport serves about 30 privately owned aircraft, including crop dusting planes and skydiving operators. Butler is a town of about 4,300 people, located roughly 65 miles south of Kansas City.
The deaths of 12 people in a skydiving plane crash near Butler Memorial Airport have left families and the local community grieving.
Authorities say the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff and caught fire, killing everyone on board. Federal investigators are now working to determine what caused the crash, while officials continue identifying victims and supporting their families.