Eleven skydivers and pilot killed in US plane crash

June 14, 2026

A fatal plane crash at Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri has claimed the lives of twelve people, including eleven skydivers and their pilot. The aircraft, a Pacific Aerospace P750 leased by a skydiving company, departed Sunday morning but failed to gain proper altitude before making a sudden left turn and crashing approximately 200 yards from the airport. Local authorities are treating the incident as a mass casualty event, with some family members having witnessed the tragedy.

Who is affected

Eleven skydivers (deceased)
One pilot (deceased)
Family members of the deceased (some witnessed the crash)
The skydiving company that leased the airplane
Bates County Emergency Management personnel
First responders who checked the crash site
Butler Memorial Airport operations

What action is being taken

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash
Authorities are treating the incident as a mass casualty event
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is involved in the investigation

Why it matters

This crash represents a significant loss of life in what should have been a recreational activity, highlighting potential safety concerns in small aircraft skydiving operations. The incident impacts the local community of Butler, Missouri, particularly as some family members witnessed the tragedy. The investigation's findings could have implications for skydiving operations, aircraft maintenance standards, and safety protocols at smaller airports where air traffic control services are not required.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC