Twelve Killed in Missouri Plane Crash Near Butler Memorial Airport

A single-engine turboprop plane carrying 11 skydivers and a pilot crashed shortly after takeoff near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri on Sunday, June 14, killing everyone on board.

Fatal Incident Near Butler Memorial

The crash occurred on Sunday morning near the Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri. According to local media, the private aircraft turned back for unknown reasons shortly after takeoff and crashed near a nearby highway.

Fox reported that all 12 individuals on board, including the pilot and 11 skydivers, perished in the accident. Sergeant Justin Ewing of the Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed the plane was transporting individuals for a skydiving excursion.

Sequence of the Crash

CNN reported the incident took place at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time. The aircraft, a 2010 Pacific Aerospace P750, failed to gain altitude immediately after takeoff. It performed a sharp left turn before crashing roughly 300 meters from the runway.

Dennis Jacobs, the acting airport director, told NBC News that the aircraft may have been attempting an emergency landing on a nearby highway. Because the plane was still in the departure phase, it had not yet established contact with air traffic control. The plane caught fire upon impact, though emergency responders quickly extinguished the blaze.

Ongoing Investigation

Law enforcement from Butler and the Bates County Sheriff’s office have secured the scene, located about 100 kilometers south of Kansas City. Emergency services and Federal Aviation Administration specialists are currently searching the area to determine if any occupants attempted to jump before the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken charge of the investigation into the tragedy. Business 49 highway near the airport was closed in both directions, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.