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A plane carrying skydivers crashed shortly after takeoff Sunday morning near Butler Memorial Airport, killing all 12 people on board and launching a federal investigation into what authorities believe was an accident.The aircraft went down around 11:30 a.m. on airport property after departing from the Butler airport, Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson said during a Sunday afternoon news conference.In a statement provided to ABC News and KMBC, Skydive Kansas City confirmed the flight was operating in support of their skydiving business.The company said the aircraft was carrying 11 skydivers and one pilot.”This is a devastating loss for everyone connected to Skydive Kansas City and for the wider skydiving community,” the company said. “Our deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and loved ones of all who were lost.”The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed all 12 people aboard died.Video below: Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson speaks about plane crash in Butler, MissouriSkydive Kansas City said it is cooperating with local authorities, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board as investigators work to determine what caused the crash.The company said the names of those killed will not be released until relatives have been notified.Dennis Jacobs, manager of Butler Memorial Airport and director of Bates County Emergency Management, told KMBC the aircraft was carrying nine experienced skydivers, two tandem jumpers and a pilot.Jacobs said the plane had just taken off when it began a turn and then nosedived into the ground about 300 yards from the runway.Anderson described the response as a mass-casualty incident that drew assistance from numerous agencies, including fire departments, law enforcement agencies and coroner’s offices from across the region.As investigators worked at the crash site, there was also focus on helping families affected by the tragedy.Video below: A look at the sceneClergy members and additional support staff were brought in to assist loved ones gathering at the airport.Some of those waiting for answers had witnessed the crash themselves.The sheriff said more relatives continued arriving throughout the day.”Our hearts go out to them,” Anderson said. “There’s nothing you can say to make it better. We just pray for their loved ones, their families and they can recover some sense of normalcy. Same thing with the first responders.”Federal investigators are expected to remain in Butler for several days as they document the scene and begin examining what led to the crash.The FAA and NTSB are investigating. Anderson said there is no evidence of criminal activity or terrorism.”At this point, this appears to be an accident,” he said.Gov. Mike Kehoe said state agencies have been assisting local authorities since shortly after the crash.In a statement Sunday, Kehoe said members of the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, a Disaster Medical Assistance Team and the state’s Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team were activated to help with victim identification and other needs.”Our hearts go out those who lost loved ones in today’s tragic crash of a skydiving plane near Butler Memorial Airport,” Kehoe said. “The State of Missouri will continue to provide all resources possible to assist. Our prayers are with the community and all those working to help.”U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, who visited the scene Sunday, said his office plans to help connect victims’ families with federal resources as the investigation moves forward.Alford cautioned that answers may not come quickly, noting that aviation investigations often take months and sometimes years to complete.”We want to comfort the families, we want to give them the support that they need, and we also want to find out exactly what happened,” Alford said.He said investigators will work to determine whether the crash was caused by mechanical problems, human error or another factor.
A plane carrying skydivers crashed shortly after takeoff Sunday morning near Butler Memorial Airport, killing all 12 people on board and launching a federal investigation into what authorities believe was an accident.
The aircraft went down around 11:30 a.m. on airport property after departing from the Butler airport, Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson said during a Sunday afternoon news conference.
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In a statement provided to ABC News and KMBC, Skydive Kansas City confirmed the flight was operating in support of their skydiving business.
The company said the aircraft was carrying 11 skydivers and one pilot.
“This is a devastating loss for everyone connected to Skydive Kansas City and for the wider skydiving community,” the company said. “Our deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and loved ones of all who were lost.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed all 12 people aboard died.
Video below: Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson speaks about plane crash in Butler, Missouri
Skydive Kansas City said it is cooperating with local authorities, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board as investigators work to determine what caused the crash.
The company said the names of those killed will not be released until relatives have been notified.
Dennis Jacobs, manager of Butler Memorial Airport and director of Bates County Emergency Management, told KMBC the aircraft was carrying nine experienced skydivers, two tandem jumpers and a pilot.
Jacobs said the plane had just taken off when it began a turn and then nosedived into the ground about 300 yards from the runway.
Anderson described the response as a mass-casualty incident that drew assistance from numerous agencies, including fire departments, law enforcement agencies and coroner’s offices from across the region.
As investigators worked at the crash site, there was also focus on helping families affected by the tragedy.
Video below: A look at the scene
Clergy members and additional support staff were brought in to assist loved ones gathering at the airport.
Some of those waiting for answers had witnessed the crash themselves.
The sheriff said more relatives continued arriving throughout the day.
“Our hearts go out to them,” Anderson said. “There’s nothing you can say to make it better. We just pray for their loved ones, their families and they can recover some sense of normalcy. Same thing with the first responders.”
Federal investigators are expected to remain in Butler for several days as they document the scene and begin examining what led to the crash.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating. Anderson said there is no evidence of criminal activity or terrorism.
“At this point, this appears to be an accident,” he said.
Gov. Mike Kehoe said state agencies have been assisting local authorities since shortly after the crash.
In a statement Sunday, Kehoe said members of the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, a Disaster Medical Assistance Team and the state’s Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team were activated to help with victim identification and other needs.
“Our hearts go out those who lost loved ones in today’s tragic crash of a skydiving plane near Butler Memorial Airport,” Kehoe said. “The State of Missouri will continue to provide all resources possible to assist. Our prayers are with the community and all those working to help.”
U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, who visited the scene Sunday, said his office plans to help connect victims’ families with federal resources as the investigation moves forward.
Alford cautioned that answers may not come quickly, noting that aviation investigations often take months and sometimes years to complete.
“We want to comfort the families, we want to give them the support that they need, and we also want to find out exactly what happened,” Alford said.
He said investigators will work to determine whether the crash was caused by mechanical problems, human error or another factor.
