BUTLER, Mo. (AP) — A tragic plane crash occurred in Butler, Missouri, on Sunday, killing a pilot and 11 passengers during a skydiving trip. The single-engine turboprop plane, operated by Skydive Kansas City, took off from Butler Memorial Airport around 11:30 a.m. and crashed shortly thereafter, igniting in flames. Family members of some passengers witnessed the horrifying incident, as authorities reported the wreckage lying in a nearby field surrounded by emergency vehicles.
Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson confirmed that emergency responders arrived quickly to extinguish the flames and assist distraught relatives. Officials have begun the grim task of identifying victims and notifying their next of kin. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a team from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were also present at the scene, gathering information for the ongoing investigation.
According to Dennis Jacobs, the acting airport manager, the aircraft, a Pacific Aerospace 750XL model built in 2010, was attempting to make a left turn after takeoff. Jacobs speculated that the plane may have been losing power, leading the pilot to attempt an emergency landing on the highway before stalling and crashing nose-first into the ground.
The scene was described as "brutal," as the fire engulfed the aircraft upon impact. First responders reported that no one had jumped out of the plane before it went down, suggesting that all aboard were trapped within when the accident occurred. The crashed aircraft is typically used in skydiving operations, cargo transport, aerial surveying, and medical evacuation due to its capability of carrying over 4,000 pounds (1,800 kilograms) and operating on short runways.
Flight tracking data revealed that the plane had completed two short flights earlier that day and had logged more flights on the previous days, indicating active operations leading up to the crash. Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti raised concerns about the maintenance standards of skydiving companies, noting that they are often not subject to the stringent regulations that govern airlines and charter operators. Inadequate maintenance has been a contributing factor in many prior skydiving accidents.
The specific causes of Sunday’s crash remain unknown and will be investigated thoroughly by NTSB officials, though it may take a year or more to release a final report. The NTSB has previously highlighted issues with oversight for skydiving operators, emphasizing the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to ensure safety in skydiving flights.
Butler Memorial Airport, which primarily serves privately-owned aircraft, will remain closed during the investigation. The town of Butler, located roughly 65 miles (105 kilometers) south of Kansas City, has a population of about 4,300 people. The sheriff reiterated that the public is not at risk, calling the incident an apparent accident.
As authorities continue to investigate the crash, the devastation felt by the families of those lost in the accident is profound, and community support efforts are underway for those affected.
