2026 Butler PAC P-750 crash
 A photo of the crash site | |
| Occurrence | |
|---|---|
| Date | June 14, 2026 |
| Summary | Under investigation |
| Site |
|
| Aircraft | |
_(2-3-2024).jpg) A PAC P-750 XSTOL similar to the aircraft involved | |
| Aircraft type | PAC P-750 XSTOL |
| Operator | Skyhi Aero LLC, operated by Skydive Kansas City |
| Registration | N221BN |
| Flight origin | Butler Memorial Airport, Butler, Missouri, U.S. |
| Destination | Butler Memorial Airport, Butler, Missouri, U.S. |
| Occupants | 12 |
| Passengers | 11 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Fatalities | 12 |
| Survivors | 0 |
On June 14, 2026, a PAC P-750 XSTOL skydiving aircraft crashed in Butler, Missouri, United States, killing all 12 occupants. The aircraft was a private plane operated by Skydive Kansas City, which departed from Butler Memorial Airport. The plane crashed near a highway. The accident was the deadliest skydiving plane crash in the United States since the September 1995 crash of a Beechcraft Queen Air near West Point, Virginia.[1][2]
Background
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was N221BN, a fixed-wing PAC P-750 XSTOL manufactured in 2010 by Pacific Aerospace in New Zealand and operated by Skyhi Aero LLC on behalf of Skydive Kansas City. The aircraft was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada engine.[3] Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records show that the aircraft's current registration certificate had been issued in January 2023 and was set to expire in January 2030.[4]
Passengers and crew
Eleven skydivers and a pilot were on board the aircraft.[4] Nine of the skydivers were experienced, while two others were going to participate in tandem jumps.[1] Among the skydivers were a North Kansas City music teacher, a father, and a Vietnam War veteran.[5]
Accident
While climbing, at around 98 feet (30 m) of altitude, the aircraft stalled, then made a sharp left turn and impacted the ground in a nose down position.[3][6] A witness said the aircraft completely shattered upon impact and the skydivers didn't have time to jump.[7] First responders received a 911 call shortly before 11:30 a.m. that a skydiving plane crashed just after takeoff. The plane crashed on airport property and was destroyed by a post-crash fire.[4]
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA confirmed they are investigating the crash.[8] The NTSB said weight, balance, or engine failure on takeoff might have caused the crash.[9]
References
- 1 2 Von Quednow, Cindy (June 14, 2026). "12 killed after Missouri plane crashes in one of the deadliest US skydiving incidents in decades, officials say". CNN. Archived from the original on June 15, 2026.
- ↑ "U.S. Skydiving Suffers Most Devastating Loss Since 1995". United States Parachute Association. June 24, 2019. Archived from the original on June 15, 2026.
- 1 2 "What we know about the skydiving plane crash in Missouri that killed 12". NBC News. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "12 killed in skydiving plane crash Sunday morning in Butler, Missouri". KSHB-TV. June 14, 2026. Archived from the original on June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
- ↑ "NKC music teacher, father, Vietnam vet among victims in Butler plane crash". WDAF-TV. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- ↑ Seewer, John; Funk, Josh (June 15, 2026). "Some of the skydivers killed in Missouri plane crash were experienced jumpers". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ "Skydivers on plane that crashed in Missouri "didn't have time to jump," witness says". CBS News. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- ↑ Hall, Kristin; Boone, Rebecca (June 14, 2026). "12 dead in crash of plane on skydiving outing in Missouri, authorities say". Associated Press News. Archived from the original on June 14, 2026. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
- ↑ "NTSB investigating weight, balance and engine questions in Butler crash". KMBC-TV. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.