A plane carrying eleven skydivers and a pilot crashed in Butler, Missouri, on Sunday, June 14, 2026, shortly after taking off from Butler Memorial Airport, killing all twelve people on board. The tragic incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time, with authorities confirming the fatalities and launching a federal investigation. The New York Times reported the breaking news on social media, stating, > "Breaking News: Eleven passengers and a pilot who appeared to be taking off on a skydiving trip were killed in a plane crash in Missouri, officials said."
The aircraft, identified as a Pacific Aerospace P750XL single-engine turboprop, was operated by Skydive Kansas City. Bates County Emergency Management Director Dennis Jacobs indicated the plane had just taken off and made a left turn before the crash, suggesting a possible loss of power as the pilot attempted an emergency landing. The plane reportedly stalled, went down nose first, and caught fire.
First responders quickly arrived at the scene near Business 49 Highway to extinguish the blaze. Authorities confirmed that no one appeared to have jumped from the plane before the crash, and the area under the flight path was checked for any additional victims. The Skydive Kansas City company released a statement expressing deep sorrow and confirming cooperation with investigators.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation into the crash. The NTSB has previously voiced concerns regarding the regulatory oversight of skydiving operations, noting after a 2019 crash in Hawaii that the FAA's system might not be robust enough to ensure safety for such flights. The Pacific Aerospace 750XL model is commonly used for skydiving and other utility purposes due to its capacity and short runway capabilities.
