Missouri Skydiving Plane Crash Tragedy Claims 12 Lives

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - An air tragedy rocked Missouri after a skydiving plane crashed near Butler Memorial Airport on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

All 12 people on board, including the pilot and 11 skydivers, were reportedly killed in the tragic incident.

The tragic accident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time, shortly after the plane took off from the airport, approximately 60 miles south of Kansas City.

Several family members of the victims reportedly witnessed the tragic crash, which happened in a field.

Congressman Mark Alford, who represents the district, visited the scene and said he would press the NTSB for answers.

“It’s tragic. You can never replace those lives, but we can tell their stories. You can tell their stories,” Alford said.

UPDATE: 12 people were killed after a plane carrying 11 skydivers and a pilot crashed near Butler Memorial Airport in Butler, Missouri. -FOX4 https://t.co/UWdylPia1M pic.twitter.com/QyxoXy65Fb

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 14, 2026

The aircraft involved in the incident was a Pacific Aerospace P750XL, a single-engine turboprop aircraft manufactured in 2010.

This model is popular for skydiving because its nine rear seats can be easily removed to make room for skydivers.

Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager and director of the Bates County Emergency Management Agency, speculated that the plane may have lost power, stalled, and crashed nose-first before catching fire.

“It had just taken off and made a left turn” before the crash, 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.”

The plane was reportedly unable to reach full power and turned left before coming to rest near Interstate 49 Business.

Air traffic services were not available at Butler Memorial Airport at the time of the crash, a detail that may be part of the investigation.

Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene to extinguish the flames engulfing the charred wreckage.

Emergency responders also conducted a thorough search of the area below the flight path, ensuring no one could have attempted to jump out before the plane crashed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash, with the NTSB leading the investigation.

Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson stated that the incident "for all intents and purposes appears to be an accident" and there is no indication of criminal activity or terrorism.

Jeff Guzzetti, an aviation safety expert, highlighted that poor maintenance has been a factor in several previous skydiving accidents.

The Pacific Aerospace 750XL aircraft that crashed was a popular model for sport parachuting and also proved useful for cargo transport, aerial surveys, and medical evacuation flights.

The aircraft can carry more than 4,000 pounds (1,800 kilograms) and is capable of short takeoffs and landings, according to the manufacturer.

The aircraft was built in 2010, according to FAA records.

Skydiving companies operate in the region for eight or nine months of the year, with the season typically starting in late March or early April and lasting until October or November.