Missouri skydiving plane crash kills 12, including teacher and veteran jumper

A Pacific Aerospace P750XL carrying nine experienced skydivers, two tandem jumpers and a pilot crashed shortly after departing Butler, Missouri, airport, killing all 12 occupants. The aircraft nosedived about 300 yards from the runway, according to the Bates County Department of Emergency Management.

Identified victims include Dave Hershberger, a high-school music teacher who taught band and orchestra for 11 years in the North Kansas City district, and Matthew Swope, a 39-year-old cancer survivor with more than 750 jumps. A father of two infant boys, whose name was not released, also perished; he had recently started a business and was an active skydiver with roughly 500 jumps.

Will Fischer, 23, was among four victims who were preparing to become skydiving instructors. Others identified were Marcus Miller, experienced jumper; Jen Sharp, director of technology for the US Parachute Association; and Nick Nash, Mike Shanahan, Dane Cordes and Dustin McKinney.

The National Transportation Safety Board continues its investigation, with preliminary findings expected in the coming weeks and a final report not due until at least 2027. The agency has previously highlighted concerns about oversight and maintenance standards in the skydiving industry, referencing past incidents at the same airport and elsewhere.

"Jen was a remarkable force whose passion for the skies was matched only by her dedication to the people in our sport," said Albert Berchtold, executive director of the US Parachute Association.

"I think that if this stopped me from jumping today, Will would be insulted," said Kevin Stone, a skydiving instructor who flew a similar aircraft the day after the crash.