BUTLER, Mo. (TNND) — A plane crash near Butler Memorial Airport on Sunday resulted in the deaths of all 12 individuals on board, including 11 skydivers and a pilot.
Authorities reported that the private aircraft, operated by Skydive Kansas City, crashed in a field shortly after takeoff and subsequently caught fire. Witnesses, including family members present at the airport, reported seeing the incident unfold.
Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson confirmed the fatalities, stating that everyone aboard the plane was lost. Skydive Kansas City expressed its sorrow in a statement, referring to the tragedy as a “devastating loss” for their community and offering condolences to the victims’ families.
The United States Parachute Association also responded, noting that the impact of the crash reverberated throughout the skydiving community. They emphasized that Skydive Kansas City follows all established safety guidelines and FAA maintenance regulations.
As investigations continue, authorities have indicated that the cause of the crash remains unknown, with a comprehensive report from the National Transportation Safety Board expected in the coming year. The association highlighted that in 2022, approximately 3.5 million skydives took place in the U.S., with 16 civilian fatalities largely attributed to human error.