Twelve people died in Missouri skydiving plane crash

A Pacific Aerospace 750XL turboprop operated by Skydive Kansas City crashed shortly after takeoff Sunday near Butler, Missouri, killing all 12 people on board. The plane reached about 100 feet before making an abrupt left turn and striking the ground, witnesses said. The aircraft had been used previously in Tennessee and Wisconsin and still carried advertising from Chattanooga Skydiving Co.

Victims remembered for passion for sport Blake Thacker, 25, had completed seven years of skydiving and was scheduled to receive his instructor certification. His mother said the activity gave him confidence to pursue other goals. Dustin McKinney, 44, began skydiving after getting sober seven years ago and worked part time as a videographer for the company.

His wife said he was meticulous about safety procedures. Michael Shanahan, 54, started jumping shortly before his sister died of breast cancer in 2016 and marked anniversaries by skydiving in her memory. His instructor on the final flight was David Hershberger, 54, who also taught violin and played trumpet in a Kansas City orchestra.

Jen Sharp, 55, had completed more than 6,800 jumps and served as Thacker's certification coach. Matthew Swope, 39, worked in information technology and spent weekends taking first-time jumpers on tandem flights. The Bates County Coroner's Office identified the remaining victims as Kurt John Roy, Sai Karthik Varma Datla, Marcus Miller, Nicholas Nash, William Fischer and Dane Cordes.

Investigation continues The National Transportation Safety Board is examining pilot experience with the aircraft model and any mechanical issues. The United States Parachute Association reported nearly 3.5 million jumps nationwide last year with 16 civilian fatalities, most attributed to human error.