A plane carrying skydivers crashed near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri on Sunday, killing all 12 on board, according to authorities.
The aircraft was a Pacific Aerospace 750XL, which is commonly used for skydiving operations and also for cargo transport, aerial surveys, and medical evacuation flights. FAA records showed that the plane, which was manufactured in 2010, could carry up to 17 skydivers and was capable of operating from short runways.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said troopers were assisting the Butler Police Department and the Bates County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.
The Associated Press, citing Missouri Highway Patrol Sergeant Justin Ewing, reported that the plane had been taking the passengers to a skydiving trip when emergency responders received reports around 11:30 am that it had gone down and caught fire near Butler, a town of around 4,300 residents in the state.
Visuals from the crash site were released on social media, showing first responders approaching the ruins of the plane as emergency crews continued to work in the area.
“It landed in a field adjacent to the airport, but I think they’re shutting down the roadway just as a precaution,” said Ewing.
Though responders put out the fire quickly, the sergeant called the scene “brutal”.
Ewing said the airport serves about 30 private aircrafts, including those used by crop-dusting companies and skydiving operators.
Acting airport manager and director of the Bates County Emergency Management Agency, Dennis Jacobs, said the aircraft was operated by Skydive Kansas City.
“It had just taken off and made a left turn,” he said “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.”
The area is known for skydiving activities, with business operating from late March or early April through October or November.
