12 Dead as Skydiving Plane Crashes After Takeoff in Butler, Mo.

BUTLER, Mo. — A skydiving flight ended in tragedy Saturday, June 14, 2026, when a Pacific Aerospace 750XL crashed shortly after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport, killing all 12 people on board. The single-engine turboprop, registered N221BN to Sky High Aero LLC of Jasper, Tenn., was conducting a Part 91 operation when it went down during its initial climb, according to National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chairman Michael Graham. A post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft; there were no survivors.

NTSB investigators established a command post near Business Loop 49 and Orange Street to secure the scene and review surveillance video capturing the aircraft's final moments, as reported by KSHB 41 News. The 12 fatalities include 11 skydivers and the pilot, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Missouri in recent memory.

Preliminary Findings

According to an initial NTSB report cited by FOX4 KC, investigators identified the probable cause as "the pilot's aggressive takeoff maneuver, which led to a loss of control." Investigators are also examining the aircraft's weight and balance and engine performance. Aviation experts interviewed by KMBC 9 News noted that a tail-heavy load can render such aircraft nearly uncontrollable during takeoff. The NTSB is continuing to analyze factual data and has asked the public to submit photos or video of the accident to a dedicated witness email address.