Some of the skydivers killed in Missouri plane crash were experienced jumpers

Several of the skydivers killed when their plane crashed moments after takeoff from a Missouri airfield were experienced jumpers who belonged to a tight-knit community described by friends as a sky family. The Pacific Aerospace 750XL, carrying a pilot and 11 passengers, went down in a field and erupted in flames, killing everyone aboard. Witnesses reported the aircraft was about 100 feet off the ground and made an abrupt left turn before crashing, and authorities indicated the plane may have been losing power. The aircraft belonged to Skydive Kansas City and had been based at Butler Memorial Airport, with FlightAware indicating nine flights in the days prior, including two on Sunday morning.