Missouri community mourns 11 skydivers and pilot killed in plane crash
A plane crash in Butler, Missouri, on Sunday killed 11 skydivers and a pilot, deeply shocking the local skydiving community.
The Missouri skydiving community is mourning the loss of 11 skydivers and a pilot after a plane crash south of Kansas City. The accident occurred around noon on Sunday in Butler, Missouri, as an aircraft supporting Skydive Kansas City was taking off. The company confirmed all 12 people on board died, calling it a devastating loss for everyone connected to the skydiving community. It requested privacy while cooperating with authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), to determine the cause. Dennis Jacobs, director of the local emergency management department, said the plane carried nine experienced skydivers, two tandem jumpers, and a pilot. The aircraft took off, then turned and nosedived about 300 yards from the runway. Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson expressed condolences, noting it appears to be an accident. Charles Crinklaw, a skydiver who knew many victims, said the crash shocked everyone and left the community numb.
