US skydiving plane crash kills 12 in Missouri

A private plane carrying skydivers crashed in the US state of Missouri on Sunday, killing all 12 people on board. The aircraft, a single-engine Pacific Aerospace P750 operated by Skydive Kansas City, went down near Butler Memorial Airport, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) south of Kansas City.

The plane took off around 11:20 a.m. CT (1620 UTC), but failed to gain visual altitude. According to Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager and Bates County emergency management director, the aircraft made a sharp left turn before crashing approximately 300 yards (274 meters) from the runway, near a highway. First responders searched the flight path for any individuals who might have jumped from the plane, but found no evidence of such attempts.

The cause of the crash is not yet known. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with investigators expected to arrive at the scene on Monday. A final report is anticipated within 12 to 24 months.

Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson stated at a press conference that the incident appears to be an accident. Some family members of the victims witnessed the crash. Visuals from the site showed blue and silver wreckage scattered on the grass, surrounded by emergency vehicles.