A plane crash is believed to have claimed the lives of 11 skydivers and a pilot. A total of 12 are said to have been killed after an aircraft has crashed in Butler, Missouri on Sunday morning, sources tell FOX4.
According to a spokesperson with Bates County Emergency Management, at just before 11.30 a.m., a private plane leaving the Butler Memorial Airport turned around for an unknown reason before crashing in the area of Business 49 Highway.
The source tells FOX4 that 11 of the 12 victims were skydivers. The other victim was the pilot of the plane. All people on board have died.
Emergency crews and law enforcement with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are on the scene and searching the area to see if any skydivers jumped from the plane before the crash.
Local reports have said the investigation will last multiple days as crews work to determine what led up to the crash and clear the wreckage.
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Currently, all lanes of Business 49 Highway are closed near the airport, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office said. Both directions will be closed for an undetermined amount of time. Drivers are asked to use an alternative route.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol. posted on X: “Troopers are on scene assisting the Butler Police Department & Bates County Sheriff’s Office of a Fatal Plane Crash near the Butler Memorial Airport. At this time reports indicate all occupants (12 total) have perished. Updates to follow.”