KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Federal aviation authorities are reviewing safety procedures related to skydiving operations following a plane crash in western Missouri that killed a pilot and 11 skydivers, according to federal and state officials on Monday.
The crash occurred shortly after takeoff on Sunday from Butler Memorial Airport, about 60 miles (97 km) south of Kansas City. Authorities said the single-engine Pacific Aerospace P750XL aircraft, operated by Skydive Kansas City, failed to gain altitude and crashed near the airport. All 12 people aboard were killed, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol and company officials.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the accident. Under standard federal procedures, the NTSB is leading the investigation and will determine the probable cause, while the FAA is assisting and reviewing operational and regulatory issues related to the flight. The FAA said accident information remains preliminary and subject to change.
Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager and Bates County emergency management director, said the aircraft appeared unable to gain sufficient altitude after departure. According to Jacobs, the plane made a sharp turn before striking the ground approximately 300 yards from the runway. “I believe the plane was losing power,” Jacobs told reporters, according to accounts published by multiple news organizations.
Officials have not identified a cause of the crash, and investigators have not released findings regarding the aircraft, pilot, maintenance records or operating procedures. The identities of the victims had not been publicly released as of Monday pending notification of relatives, authorities said.
The accident has renewed attention on safety oversight within the skydiving industry. Previous NTSB investigations into fatal skydiving aircraft accidents have identified issues including maintenance deficiencies, inspection shortcomings and pilot training concerns. Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti, a former FAA and NTSB investigator, told the Associated Press that skydiving operations are subject to different regulatory standards than commercial airlines and many charter operators.
Industry representatives have said skydiving remains a relatively safe activity overall. The U.S. Parachute Association has cited a low fatality rate per jump in recent years, although it acknowledged that aviation accidents involving jump aircraft can have severe consequences.
Skydive Kansas City said it is cooperating fully with investigators and providing support services to affected families. State agencies have also made counseling resources available, officials said.
As of Monday, investigators remained at the crash site collecting evidence. The NTSB is expected to release preliminary information in the coming weeks, while a final report could take more than a year to complete, according to federal officials.
