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Skydivers on plane that crashed in Missouri "didn't have time to jump," witness says
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- A private plane carrying 11 skydivers and the pilot crashed shortly after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri, killing everyone on board; a witness described the plane shattering on impact and exploding into flames.
- The crash occurred too close to the ground for the skydivers to deploy parachutes, making survival impossible according to eyewitnesses.
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident, focusing on the plane's mechanical condition, pilot training, and FAA oversight, noting that small parachute operations often receive limited regulatory supervision.
- The plane was operated by Skydive Kansas City, which expressed deep condolences and emphasized support for the victims' families and the skydiving community during this tragic loss.
- Butler Memorial Airport is a small facility without a control tower in communication with pilots, which may be relevant to the investigation.
