On Sunday, June 14, 2026, a skydiving plane crashed shortly after takeoff near Butler Memorial Airport in Butler, Missouri (Bates County, about 60 miles south of Kansas City), killing all 12 people on board. The victims included a pilot and 11 skydivers. The aircraft, operated by Skydive Kansas City, was a single-engine Pacific Aerospace 750XL turboprop.
According to officials, the plane took off around 11:20–11:30 a.m. local time but failed to gain sufficient altitude. It made a sharp left turn, stalled, and crashed into a field adjacent to the airport, near a highway. The wreckage erupted in flames, and emergency responders extinguished the fire, but no survivors were found. Family members of some victims reportedly witnessed the incident.
Missouri State Highway Patrol, along with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are investigating. Preliminary reports point to possible power or mechanical issues, though the full cause remains under review. An NTSB final report could take 12–24 months. Skydive Kansas City described the event as a tragedy and is cooperating with authorities. The company was acquired in 2024 and has operated since 1998.
This incident is one of the deadliest involving skydiving aircraft in the U.S. in recent years. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe offered condolences and noted state support, including grief counselors.
The skydiving community and local residents are mourning the loss. Identities of the victims have not been publicly released pending notification of next of kin.
Sources
- Al Jazeera: Twelve killed in plane crash in Missouri
- Reuters: Twelve people killed in Missouri plane crash
- CNN, NBC News, and local reports via KCTV5 and others (multiple corroborating outlets)
Click the links for full details and updates as the investigation continues. Our thoughts are with the families and the skydiving community affected by this devastating loss.
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