BUTLER, Mo. (AP) — A plane crash near Butler Memorial Airport on Sunday killed all 12 occupants, according to authorities.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. as the aircraft was preparing for a skydiving flight. Emergency responders extinguished the fire shortly after they arrived.
The plane, operated by Skydive Kansas City, was a Pacific Aerospace 750XL, a single-engine turboprop designed for skydiving. Sources indicate the plane took off and made a left turn before losing power and crashing in a nearby field.
Emergency services from the Butler Police Department and Bates County Sheriff's Office are on-site, and the roadway is temporarily closed as a precaution.
Teams from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. First responders confirmed that no individuals attempted to exit the aircraft before it went down.
The aircraft, manufactured in 2010, can accommodate up to 17 skydivers and is also used for cargo and medical evacuations. The small airport serves around 30 privately owned aircraft, including those used for skydiving and crop dusting.
Skydiving operations in the area typically run from late March to November. A representative from Skydive Kansas City declined to comment.
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