Eleven skydivers and a pilot died Sunday when their aircraft crashed during takeoff in Butler, Missouri, about 50 miles south of Kansas City. The plane, operated by Skydive Kansas City, went down around noon, the company confirmed in a statement Monday.
The crash shocked the close-knit skydiving community, with local reports describing a scene of devastation. The company expressed deep sorrow and said it would cooperate fully with investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, which has launched a probe into the cause.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims pending notification of next of kin. The accident marks one of the deadliest skydiving-related crashes in recent U.S. history, drawing attention to general aviation safety.
While no immediate political response has emerged, the incident may reignite debates about oversight of recreational aviation operations. Family and friends have begun gathering in the Kansas City area as the community holds vigils for the lost. No public officials have commented on the crash as of Monday evening.
Investigation remains in its earliest stages, with recovery efforts and data collection ongoing. No survivors were found at the scene.