Skydivers and Pilot Presumed Dead in Missouri Plane Crash

Local authorities have reported that a pilot and 11 skydivers are likely dead following a plane crash in Butler, Missouri.

The crash involved a Pacific Aerospace 750XL that was transporting skydivers for Skydive Kansas City. It took off from Butler Memorial Airport around 11:30 a.m. local time, but shortly after departure, it made a return and crashed roughly 300 yards from the runway.

According to Dennis Jacobs, the Acting Manager at Butler Memorial Airport, the plane struggled to gain altitude after takeoff and made a sharp left turn before going down.

Jacobs also suggested there might have been power-related issues affecting the plane at the time of the incident.

“It had just taken off and made a left turn,” he stated. “In my opinion, I think it was losing power, and he was trying to make it over to the highway and land, and he stalled and went down nose first and caught fire.”

Emergency responders reported that the plane was quickly engulfed in flames but were able to extinguish the fire. The scene was described as “brutal” by first responders, according to sources.

Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are expected to follow.

As of now, authorities have not disclosed the identities of those on board.