A tragic plane crash in the U.S. state of Missouri claimed the lives of all 12 people aboard a skydiving aircraft on Sunday, according to local authorities and the company operating the flight.
The accident occurred shortly after takeoff near Butler Memorial Airport, located about 60 miles south of Kansas City. The aircraft, operated by Skydive Kansas City, was carrying a group of skydivers along with the pilot.
In a statement following the crash, the company confirmed the fatalities, saying: “Tragically, all 12 individuals aboard lost their lives in the accident.” The pilot was also among those killed.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a single-engine Pacific Aerospace P750. According to Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager and emergency management director for Bates County, the plane departed at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time.
Witnesses reported that the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude after takeoff. Jacobs said it was seen making a sharp left turn before crashing roughly 300 yards from the runway near a highway.
