Missouri, United States: Twelve people, including a pilot and 11 skydivers, were killed when a skydiving aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport in western Missouri on Sunday, marking one of the deadliest U.S. skydiving aviation accidents in recent years.
The aircraft, identified by investigators as a Pacific Aerospace P750XL single-engine turboprop, was being operated by Skydive Kansas City and was carrying a group of skydivers for a scheduled jump flight when the accident occurred near Butler, a town located about 65 miles south of Kansas City.
According to Skydive Kansas City, all 12 occupants onboard lost their lives in the crash. “Tragically, all 12 individuals aboard lost their lives in the accident,” the company said in a statement, adding that victim identities would not be released until all next of kin had been notified.
Dennis Jacobs, acting manager of Butler Memorial Airport and director of the Bates County Emergency Management Agency, said the aircraft departed at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time but appeared unable to climb normally after takeoff.
Jacobs told reporters the airplane made a sharp left turn shortly after becoming airborne before crashing roughly 300 yards from the runway. “It had just taken off and made a left turn,” Jacobs said. “In my opinion I think it was losing power, and he was trying to make it over to the highway and land, and he stalled and went down nose first and caught fire,” he said.
Witness accounts and local officials indicated the pilot may have been attempting an emergency landing near a nearby highway before the aircraft descended rapidly and impacted terrain. Authorities said the passengers were participating in a skydiving outing organized by Skydive Kansas City.
According to reports, the group included experienced skydivers as well as tandem jump participants preparing for a recreational jump flight.
Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Justin Ewing said emergency responders received reports of an aircraft down and engulfed in flames at approximately 11:30 a.m. The aircraft crashed in a field adjacent to the airport and was consumed by fire following impact. Emergency crews extinguished the blaze shortly afterward, but there were no survivors.
One of the most tragic aspects of the accident was that several family members of those onboard reportedly witnessed the crash from the ground. Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson said relatives were present at the airport when the aircraft went down.
Clergy members, volunteers and grief counselors were mobilized to assist families at the scene while authorities worked to identify victims and notify relatives.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said multiple state agencies were responding to support local authorities and affected families.”Our prayers are with the community and all those working to help,” the governor said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the accident.
FAA officials arrived at the crash site Sunday, while an NTSB investigation team was scheduled to arrive Monday to begin documenting evidence, examining the wreckage and interviewing witnesses.
The NTSB said a final report determining the probable cause of the accident could take between 12 and 24 months to complete. Authorities have not released any preliminary findings and stressed that the cause remains undetermined.
