Full Breakdown
Deadly Skydiving Plane Crash at Butler Memorial Airport Claims 12 Lives
6/17/2026, 12:15:56 AM
The Crash and Immediate Aftermath
On June 14, 2026, a Pacific Aerospace P750XL took off from Butler Memorial Airport in Butler, Missouri, for a Skydive KC sky-diving flight. Shortly after take-off the aircraft nosedived, hitting the ground about 300 yards from the runway and igniting a fire that destroyed the airframe. All twelve aboard—pilot and eleven skydivers, including nine experienced jumpers and two tandem participants—were killed.
Background & Context
Butler’s airport has seen sky-diving incidents, including a May 2024 emergency-parachute deployment that injured a jumper and a June 2023 flight that landed on the roof of New Century AirCenter. The NTSB has warned that limited FAA oversight can let maintenance problems go unchecked, a concern highlighted after the 2019 Hawaiian crash that killed eleven skydivers.
Key Figures & Groups
Identified victims include music teacher Dave Hershberger, cancer survivor Matthew Swope, aspiring instructor Will Fischer, and US Parachute Association technology director Jen Sharp; additional victims were also named.
Timeline
The aircraft crashed at about 11:30 a.m. on June 14. NTSB issued its first update on June 15 and scheduled wreckage removal for June 17. A preliminary report is due within 30 days, with a full report by 2027.
Data & Statistics
The P750XL carried 12 occupants (pilot + 11 skydivers). All perished. The aircraft struck the ground roughly 300 yards from the runway; a flight recorder’s presence is unconfirmed.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local businesses and aid groups responded swiftly. Koehn Bakery offered free refreshments to responders; the Red Cross and Code 1 Wellness provided assistance, with mental-health services arriving within an hour.
Official Statements & Responses
NTSB Vice Chairman Michael Graham expressed condolences and stressed the early-stage investigation will not yield overnight conclusions. Code 1 Wellness CEO Vanessa Kennedy said the group will stay on-site for weeks to support families. US Parachute Association executive director Albert Berchtold called Jen Sharp’s loss a void for the community.
Criticism & Opposition
The NTSB warned that limited FAA oversight can let maintenance problems go unchecked, a concern highlighted after the 2019 Hawaiian crash that killed eleven skydivers.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The NTSB has not confirmed whether the aircraft carried a cockpit or flight-data recorder and has offered no cause hypothesis, leaving the exact reason for the nosedive undetermined.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I wish to express my most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy,” — Michael Graham, NTSB Vice Chairman
- “Emotions absolutely running high on everyone’s end,” — Vanessa Kennedy, CEO, Code 1 Wellness
- “I was breathing a little bit heavier on my first couple loads today [but] I think that if this stopped me from jumping today, Will would be insulted,” — Kevin Stone, skydiving instructor
- “Jen was a remarkable force whose passion for the skies was matched only by her dedication to the people in our sport,” — Albert Berchtold, Executive Director, US Parachute Association
What’s Next
Wreckage will be examined for structural clues; a preliminary NTSB report is due in about a month, with a full report by 2027. Mental-health providers will remain in Butler for weeks as the sky-diving community watches for regulatory reforms.
