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

An airborne tragedy near Butler, Missouri, killed all 12 people aboard when a Pacific Aerospace 750XL skydiving plane crashed minutes after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport. The craft carried a pilot and 11 passengers and was operated by Skydive Kansas City, a team described by friends as a close-knit skydiving community. Witnesses reported the aircraft was roughly 100 feet above the ground with a sharp left turn before the crash, then it appeared to lose power and plunged nose-first into a field as flames erupted. The accident occurred in a rural area about 65 miles south of Kansas City; weather was not cited as a factor.

Pending findings will come from the National Transportation Safety Board, with a final report not expected for a year or more; officials said weather did not appear to be a factor. FlightAware data show the Pacific Aerospace 750XL had logged nine flights in the days before the crash, including two on Sunday morning, all operated by Skydive Kansas City. The company expressed condolences and said the skydiving community is in shock. The incident adds to ongoing discussions about oversight and inspection practices for skydiving aircraft and operators in the United States.