Crash reportedly occurred shortly after departure from Butler Memorial airport at 11.30am on Sunday
Twelve people were killed in a plane crash near Butler, Missouri, on Sunday.
According to Bates county emergency management, a private plane that had departed Butler Memorial airport shortly before 11.30am turned back before crashing near Business 49 Highway, Fox 4 reported.
Sources told the outlet that 11 of the victims were skydivers, while the 12th was the pilot.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Missouri state highway patrol, the Butler police department, the Bates county sheriff’s office, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, KMBC reported.
Videos posted online appeared to show a heavily damaged aircraft in a grassy area, with plumes of white smoke rising from the wreckage.
The Missouri state highway patrol confirmed the crash in a post on X, saying: “Troopers are on scene assisting the Butler Police Department & Bates County Sheriff’s Office of a Fatal Plane Crash near the Butler Memorial Airport. At this time reports indicate all occupants (12 total) have perished. Updates to follow.”
The FAA also confirmed the crash, telling the Guardian in a statement: “A Pacific Aerospace P750 crashed while departing from Butler Memorial airport in Missouri around 11.35am local time on Sunday, June 14. Air traffic services were not being provided at the time. Twelve people were on board. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation.”
The Guardian has reached out to the BPD and NTSB for additional comment.
Source: Guardian - World News
