BUTLER, Mo. (TNND) — A plane crash near Butler Memorial Airport on Sunday has resulted in the deaths of a pilot and 11 passengers, all skydivers, authorities confirmed.
The aircraft reportedly crashed in a field around 2:30 p.m., bursting into flames upon impact. Witnesses reported seeing family members present at the airport who watched the tragic event unfold.
Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson stated that an investigation is underway, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) leading efforts to determine the cause of the crash. A final report could take a year or longer to complete.
The private plane was operated by Skydive Kansas City, which expressed deep condolences for the loss. In a statement, the company said, “This is a devastating loss for everyone connected to Skydive Kansas City and for the wider skydiving community.”
The United States Parachute Association indicated that the incident has deeply affected the skydiving community. They noted Skydive Kansas City adheres to the safety standards set by the association and complies with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintenance requirements.
In 2022, nearly 3.5 million skydives were conducted nationwide, with 16 civilian fatalities primarily attributed to human error, according to the association.