A devastating plane crash near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri has left 12 people dead, including a pilot and 11 skydivers, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents involving a skydiving operation recently. The crash occurred on Sunday morning near Butler, a city located about 65 miles south of Kansas City. Authorities confirmed that there were no survivors among the 12 people on board. Federal investigators have launched an inquiry into the cause of the accident.
What Happened?
According to Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager at Butler Memorial Airport and Bates County’s emergency management director, the aircraft took off at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time.
BREAKING – 12 skydivers and 1 pilot are dead after their plane crashed in Butler, Missouri. According to a spokesperson with Bates County Emergency Management, just before 11:30 a.m., a private plane leaving the Butler Memorial Airport turned around for an unknown reason before… pic.twitter.com/dMsKnhRTNy
— Francisco Cunha (@OnDisasters) June 14, 2026
Shortly after departure, the plane was reportedly unable to gain sufficient visual altitude. Jacobs said the aircraft then made a sharp left turn before crashing roughly 300 yards from the runway. The plane came down in a field adjacent to the airport and was engulfed in flames upon impact. Emergency responders rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a downed aircraft near the airport.
Aircraft Operated By Skydive Kansas City
Jacobs identified the aircraft as a single-engine turboprop operated by Skydive Kansas City (State of Missouri). The flight was carrying skydivers who were being transported to jumping altitude before the accident occurred. Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt Justin Ewing said emergency crews were notified that a plane involved in a skydiving operation had crashed and caught fire shortly after takeoff.
‘The plane was taking people up to skydive when emergency responders got a call that a plane was down and on fire,’ Ewing said.
Crash Site Secured By Emergency Crews
Authorities said the aircraft crashed in a field next to Butler Memorial Airport. ‘It landed in a field adjacent to the airport, but I think they’re shutting down the roadway just as a precaution,’ Ewing told The Associated Press.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Butler Police Department, Bates County Sheriff’s Office, local firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Officials temporarily restricted access to nearby roads while crews worked to secure the area and recover evidence.
Victims Yet To Be Identified
Authorities have not publicly released the names of the victims. Officials said identification efforts are ongoing and that they are notifying families before names are made public. The 12 victims included the pilot and 11 skydivers on board the aircraft.
NTSB And FAA Investigating Cause of Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the fatal accident, with support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s maintenance records, operational history, weather conditions, pilot qualifications, and witness accounts.
A preliminary report could be released in the coming weeks, though a final determination of the crash’s cause may take several months. At this stage, officials have not indicated whether mechanical failure, pilot error, weather conditions, or another factor contributed to the accident.
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