• Twelve people, including a pilot and 11 skydivers, were killed in a plane crash in Missouri.
• The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport, approximately 65 miles south of Kansas City.
• The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.

A tragic plane crash in Butler, Missouri, claimed the lives of all twelve occupants, including the pilot and eleven skydivers. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the aircraft went down near Butler Memorial Airport on Sunday around 11:30 a.m., shortly after takeoff. Emergency responders received calls about a plane engulfed in flames, leading to quick deployment of teams from local agencies and the highway patrol, who described the crash scene as "brutal," according to Reuters and CBS News.

The plane, a Pacific Aerospace 750XL, was operated by Skydive Kansas City and was taking passengers for a skydiving trip when it crashed about 200 yards from the airport. Witnesses and officials indicated the plane struggled to gain altitude, making a sharp left turn before descending, as reported by India Times, BBC, and Los Angeles Times.

Missouri Highway Patrol Sergeant Justin Ewing noted that emergency services had swiftly controlled the fire after the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced they would investigate the incident, though no immediate cause was confirmed. Aviation expert Jeff Guzzetti highlighted concerns regarding maintenance standards among skydiving companies, suggesting that inadequate maintenance may contribute to accidents of this nature, referencing prior experiences with the NTSB and FAA, according to South China Morning Post and NPR.

Skydiving events typically operate from Butler Memorial Airport for several months each year; however, the identities and backgrounds of the victims have not yet been made public. Local authorities are continuing their inquiries to determine the specifics leading to this tragic event, as stated by various news outlets including Al Jazeera and Los Angeles Times.