Tragedy at Butler Memorial Airport: 12 Killed in Skydiving Plane Crash
A single-engine turboprop aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri on Sunday, June 14, 2026, resulting in the deaths of all 12 people on board.
Incident Overview
The aircraft, a Pacific Aerospace 750XL (also identified as a P750 or P750XL) manufactured in 2010 and operated by Skydive Kansas City, crashed at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time. The plane was carrying a pilot and 11 skydivers, which included nine experienced skydivers and two tandem jumpers.
According to Acting Airport Manager and Bates County Emergency Management Agency Director Dennis Jacobs, the aircraft had just taken off when it made a left turn. Observers reported the plane appeared to lose power, attempted to reach a nearby highway, stalled, and descended nose-first into a field adjacent to the airport, approximately 300 yards from the runway.
The aircraft was engulfed in flames upon impact, and emergency responders extinguished the fire. First responders found no evidence that any occupant jumped from the aircraft before impact. Family members of some victims were present at the airport and witnessed the crash.
The Bates County Sheriff's Office reported no indication of criminal activity and stated the incident is believed to be accidental.
The Victims
Authorities have not released an official list of the deceased pending notification of next of kin. Local media and family members have identified several victims:
- Dave Hershberger: A music teacher at Oak Park High School and Antioch Middle School in the North Kansas City School District and a veteran skydiver.
- Matthew Swope (age 39): A cancer survivor and experienced skydiver with over 750 jumps.
- Will Fischer (age 23): An individual preparing to make his final jump before becoming a skydiving instructor.
- Marcus Miller: An experienced jumper.
- Jen Sharp: Described as the director of technology for the United States Parachute Association (USPA).
- Nick Nash, Mike Shanahan, Dane Cordes, Dustin McKinney: Additional victims identified by family and friends.
- A male victim who was a new father of two baby boys, described by his father as having up to 500 jumps.
Charles Crinklaw, a skydiver from a nearby company, reported that four of the victims were known to him, and one was involved with the USPA as a coach.
Aircraft Information
The Pacific Aerospace 750XL is a single-engine turboprop aircraft manufactured in 2010. It has a capacity of up to 17 skydivers and is commonly used for skydiving, cargo, aerial surveying, and medical evacuation flights.
Butler Memorial Airport serves approximately 30 privately-owned aircraft, including skydiving and crop-dusting operators.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, with assistance from the FAA, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Butler Police Department, and Bates County Sheriff's Office.
The NTSB stated investigators will document the scene, examine the aircraft, and request radar data, weather information, maintenance records, and the pilot's medical records. The investigation will consider human, machine, and environmental factors.
A preliminary report from the NTSB is expected within 30 days, while a final report could take 12 to 24 months, potentially extending to 2027.
Regulatory Context
The aircraft operated under FAA Part 91 regulations, which are less stringent than those governing commercial charter or airline flights. The NTSB has made recommendations since 2008 to tighten rules for skydiving operations, but the FAA has not adopted those recommendations, citing lower accident rates compared to other private flights.
The NTSB previously cited weak oversight of the skydiving industry following a 2019 crash in Hawaii that killed 11 people. In that incident, the NTSB determined the probable cause was pilot error, including an aggressive takeoff that led to an accelerated stall, and noted the aircraft had an improperly repaired wing from a prior accident.
The USPA reports that skydiving fatalities have declined since the 1970s, with most fatalities occurring during the dive itself rather than in aircraft accidents.