Full Breakdown
Fatal Skydiving Plane Crash Near Butler, Missouri
6/17/2026, 1:23:41 AM
Crash Overview
On June 14, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a Pacific Aerospace 750XL operated by Skydive Kansas City crashed shortly after take-off from Butler Memorial Airport in Butler, Missouri. The aircraft, carrying a pilot, nine experienced skydivers and two tandem jumpers, made a left turn, nosedived about 300 yards from the runway, and ignited on impact. All 12 occupants were killed. Emergency crews extinguished the fire, and investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) arrived on scene the same day.
Background & Context
The 750XL, built in 2010, is a single-engine turboprop commonly used for skydiving because it can operate from short runways and carry up to 17 jumpers. Flight-tracking data show the plane completed nine flights between June 12 and June 14. Butler’s airport previously experienced a skydiving accident in May 2024, where six skydivers and the pilot parachuted safely before the aircraft crashed. The NTSB has repeatedly warned that FAA oversight of skydiving operators is limited, citing the 2019 Hawaii crash that killed 11 people.
Key Figures & Groups
Victims identified include:
- Dave Hershberger, 54, North Kansas City School District music teacher.
- Matthew Swope, 39, cancer survivor with 750+ jumps.
- Michael Shanahan, 54, sheet-metal worker preparing for his 23rd tandem jump.
- Jen Sharp, 55, USPA Director of Technology.
- Will Fischer, 23, near-completion of instructor certification.
- Nick Nash, 40, skydiving instructor (“Flying Spidey”).
Other identified jumpers are Dustin McKinney, Dane Cordes, Marcus Miller, Blake Thacker, William Fischer, Kurt Roy, Mike Shanahan, and Sai Karthik Varma Datla.
Stakeholders include Skydive Kansas City, the United States Parachute Association (USPA), Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson, Butler County Emergency Manager Dennis Jacobs, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
Timeline
- 11:30 a.m.: Plane takes off, turns left, crashes.
- 11:31 a.m.: 911 call received; fire crews respond.
- Afternoon: Families gather; officials begin victim identification.
- Evening: NTSB and FAA teams on site; Jacobs reports possible loss of power.
- June 15 – June 16: Preliminary NTSB briefing; officials label incident an accident.
- Within 30 days: NTSB preliminary report expected.
- 12–24 months: Full NTSB report anticipated.
Data & Statistics
- 12 fatalities (pilot + 11 skydivers).
- Aircraft: Pacific Aerospace 750XL, 2010 model, capacity > 4,000 lb.
- Weather: clear skies, low 70s °F, north winds 10–20 mph.
- No flight-data recorder required; aircraft’s manifest reportedly changed at the last minute.
Why It Matters
The loss reverberates through the local community and the national skydiving network, prompting renewed scrutiny of safety oversight. The NTSB’s prior criticism of FAA regulations may lead to recommendations for stricter inspections of skydiving aircraft and pilot training.
Official Statements & Responses
- Skydive Kansas City: “This is a devastating loss for everyone connected to Skydive Kansas City and for the wider skydiving community.”
- USPA: “Jen was a remarkable force… her loss leaves an unfillable void in our office, our community, and our hearts.”
- School District: “Mr. Hershberger was a beloved educator… one of the kindest humans.”
- Sheriff Anderson: “Our hearts go out to them… this appears to be an accident.”
- Governor Kehoe: “Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones.”
- NTSB: “We will be looking at the human, machine and environment as the outline of the investigation.”
- FAA: “Skydiving operators are subject to annual inspections covering safety requirements.”
Criticism & Opposition
Former NTSB investigator Jeff Guzzetti noted the pilot likely attempted an “impossible turn” at low altitude, a maneuver pilots are trained to avoid. The NTSB and its vice-chairman Michael Graham emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages and no cause has been confirmed. Industry groups point to a strong safety record—nearly 3.5 million jumps in the prior year with 16 civilian deaths—but acknowledge the need for improved oversight.
On-the-Ground Reports
A father who wished to remain unnamed told KMBC, “My son was on the plane. He had a new business, two baby boys… He loved skydiving and never thought he’d die.” Witness Bailey Reed described the impact: “The plane just completely shattered with the ground… there was no chance to deploy parachutes.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Jacobs suggested loss of engine power; Guzzetti argued the pilot’s maneuver caused the stall. The NTSB has not confirmed either hypothesis. The flight manifest’s last-minute change remains unexplained, and the aircraft lacked a cockpit-voice recorder, limiting early evidence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Nothing can describe the grief I feel … To my annoying little brother, I will miss you forever,” — Sister, Facebook post
- “My son was on the plane. He had a new business, two new baby boys and everything was going good for him,” — Unnamed father
- “The world lost an amazing man yesterday,” — Brandon Carney, friend of Michael Shanahan
- “In my opinion, I think it was losing power, and he was trying to make it over to the highway and land, and he stalled and went down nose first and caught fire.” — Dennis Jacobs, airport manager
- “NTSB investigators will look at the human, machine and environment as the outline of the investigation.” — NTSB spokesperson
What’s Next
The NTSB will issue a preliminary factual report within 30 days, followed by a comprehensive cause analysis in 12–24 months. The FAA has convened a safety committee to review skydiving regulations, and lawmakers may consider legislative measures to strengthen oversight of small-aircraft skydiving operations. Families continue to receive support from local agencies and charitable groups.
