Plane carrying 11 skydivers crashes shortly after takeoff in Missouri

A private plane carrying 11 skydivers and a pilot went down just after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport in Butler, Missouri, on Sunday, killing everyone on board. Witness Bailey Reed described the aircraft hitting the ground at a steep angle, with the impact causing an explosion and fire. Reed said the occupants were too low for parachutes to be deployed and had no chance to jump.

Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson expressed condolences to the families, noting the tragedy's severity. The National Transportation Safety Board opened an investigation, focusing on the aircraft’s mechanical condition, the engine, pilot training, and FAA oversight of the parachute operation. Former NTSB chair Robert Sumwalt said the investigation would also examine whether the FAA provided adequate surveillance for the small operation.

Skydive Kansas City, which operated the flight, released a statement calling the loss "devastating" for the skydiving community and pledging cooperation with investigators while supporting staff and families.