Plane Crash Kills 12 in Butler, Missouri
BUTLER, MO—A plane crash at Butler Memorial Airport on Sunday killed a pilot and 11 skydivers just after takeoff at approximately 11:35 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The single-engine turboprop operated by Skydive Kansas City lost altitude shortly after takeoff, crashing approximately 300 yards from the runway in a field, Bates County Emergency Management Director Dennis Jacobs reported. The aircraft became engulfed in flames following the impact.
Emergency crews from the Missouri Highway Patrol and local fire departments responded to the scene. The victims have not yet been publicly identified pending notification of next of kin. Nine of the deceased were experienced skydivers, while the remaining two were preparing for tandem jumps.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with the National Transportation Safety Board expected to arrive on-site Monday. NTSB representatives stated that it could take one to two years for a final report.
The aircraft, a 2010 Pacific Aerospace 750XL, completed two previous flights earlier that morning. Investigators are focusing on potential mechanical failure, including possibilities related to fuel contamination, as Jacobs indicated the pilot might have been attempting to reach the highway for a safer landing.
Butler Memorial Airport, which has no control tower, has faced scrutiny in recent years over its safety regulations, particularly concerning skydiving operations. The crash marks the deadliest incident in the airport's history and the most severe in Missouri since 2004.
Authorities said that the focus will be on supporting families and ensuring a thorough investigation.