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.
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. 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.
Passengers and crew Eleven skydivers and a pilot were on board the aircraft. Nine of the skydivers were experienced, while two others were going to participate in tandem jumps. Among the skydivers were a North Kansas City music teacher, a father, and a Vietnam War veteran.
Accident
While climbing, at around of altitude, the aircraft stalled, then made a sharp left turn and impacted the ground in a nose down position. A witness said the aircraft completely shattered upon impact and the skydivers didn't have time to jump. First responders received a 911 call shortly before 11:30a.m. that a skydiving plane crashed just after takeoff. The plane crashed on airport property and was destroyed by a post-crash fire.
Investigation The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA confirmed they are investigating the crash. The NTSB said weight, balance, or engine failure on takeoff might have caused the crash.
References