12 dead in Missouri after skydiving plane crashes shortly after take-off
12 people have died after a plane carrying passengers planning to spend the day skydiving crashed in Missouri, officials have said.
The crash occurred shortly after take-off near the Butler Memorial Airport at around 11.30am local time on Sunday, 14 June.
Missouri Highway Patrol Sergeant Justin Ewing said the plane - a Pacific Aerospace P750 - was taking people up to skydive.
"It landed in a field adjacent to the airport, but I think they're shutting down the roadway just as a precaution," Ewing said.
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Director of Bates County Emergency Management, Dennis Jacobs, said the private plane was operated by Skydive Kansas, and confirmed to USA Today that 11 of those who died were planning to skydive and one was the pilot.
The outlet reported that nine of those onboard were experienced jumpers, while two were taking part in tandem jumps.
Jacobs told the publication that ‘multiple horrified witnesses’ had seen the crash, including the victims’ loved ones who were on the ground.
"One lady that was there was watching her brother (on the plane), and his wife was there, too, and she was supposed to be on the plane with them," Jacobs said.
He said that the plane had ‘just taken off and made a left turn’ before the horrific crash.
“In my opinion I think it was losing power, and he was trying to make it over to the highway and land, and he stalled and went down nose first and caught fire,” he added.
Another witness spoke to CBS Mornings, describing how the plane was 'perpendicular' with the wings to the sky.
Have a listen:
'The ground and the trees exploded'
Speaking of the impact, she said: "Seeing it, and seeing the dirt that flew with it, the plane just completely shattered with the ground.
"The ground and trees around it exploded, and went up in flames."
First responders have checked the area under the flight path and did not find anyone who might have tried to jump out before the crash, Jacobs said.
As yet, authorities have not shared information on the identities of the victims.
Teams from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, which is the most deadly in the Butler Memorial Airport’s 50-year history.
“The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation,” the FAA told Daily Mail.
The Pacific Aerospace 750XL that crashed is a single engine turboprop plane model that is popular for skydiving. The aircraft can carry as many as 17 skydivers and is capable of taking off and landing on short runways.
Topics: US News
Claire Reid