Skydiving Plane Crash Kills 11 Near Butler, Missouri
BUTLER, MO — A plane crash shortly after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport on Sunday claimed the lives of all 11 individuals on board, including the United States Parachute Association's technology director, Jen Sharp.
According to the Bates County Sheriff's Office, the aircraft, operated by Skydive Kansas City, crashed into a field around 2:41 p.m. Witnesses reported seeing the plane approximately 100 feet from the ground when it made an abrupt left turn and went down nose first.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but all occupants, including the pilot, were confirmed dead. Authorities stated that weather conditions did not appear to contribute to the incident. A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected within a month.
Witnesses described the aircraft struggling to gain altitude before stalling. The plane, a Pacific Aerospace 750XL, had completed nine successful flights leading up to the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and may continue oversight investigations.
The skydiving community expressed deep sorrow over the loss, with Skydive Kansas City stating, “This is a devastating loss for everyone connected to Skydive Kansas City and the wider skydiving community.”
NTSB Vice Chairman Michael Graham confirmed that investigators are in the process of interviewing witnesses and analyzing the crash scene for additional data.