11 Skydivers, Pilot Killed in Missouri Plane Crash in the US
All 12 people on board, including 11 skydivers and a pilot, were killed after the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Butler Memorial Airport.
- A plane crash in Missouri has killed 11 skydivers and a pilot
- The aircraft went down shortly after taking off near Butler Memorial Airport
- US aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the incident
Eleven skydivers and a pilot have been killed after a plane crash in the US state of Missouri, officials have confirmed.
The aircraft, which was leased by a skydiving company, took off around 11:20 local time on Sunday from Butler Memorial Airport, according to a Bates County Emergency Management spokesperson.
Shortly after departure, the plane reportedly failed to gain altitude, made a sharp left turn, and crashed about 200 yards from the airport. Authorities confirmed that all 12 people on board died.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a Pacific Aerospace P750, noting that air traffic services were not being provided at the time of the crash.
Local reports say emergency responders are still assessing the scene to determine whether any of the skydivers managed to exit the aircraft before impact.
Butler is located about 50 miles south of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation into the cause of the crash.
