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The skydiving company at the center of a Missouri plane crash that killed all 12 people aboard said Sunday that its staff remains “in shock” following the disaster, describing the deaths of 11 skydivers and a pilot as a “devastating loss” for both the business and the broader skydiving community.
Skydive Kansas City said the aircraft was operating in support of the company’s skydiving operations when it went down shortly after taking off around noon from Butler Memorial Airport in Butler, Missouri, the company said in a statement obtained by local news outlet KCTV.
“Tragically, all 12 individuals aboard lost their lives in the accident,” the company said. “This is a devastating loss for everyone connected to Skydive Kansas City and for the wider skydiving community.”
The company extended its condolences to the victims’ families and said it would not release the names of those killed until all next of kin have been notified.
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“The entire team is in shock, and the community is close-knit,” the statement said.
Skydive Kansas City said it is cooperating with local authorities, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the investigation into the crash.
Missouri authorities first announced the deadly crash Sunday, describing it as a “mass casualty” event that left everyone on board dead.
The aircraft, identified by the FAA as a Pacific Aerospace P750, crashed while departing Butler Memorial Airport around 11:35 a.m. local time. The plane was engulfed in flames after impact, though emergency crews were able to extinguish the fire shortly afterward, Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson said.
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The aircraft was carrying 11 skydivers and one pilot, authorities said. Officials noted that many of the passengers were preparing for tandem skydives and were believed to be inexperienced first-time jumpers.
The aircraft turned around shortly after takeoff for reasons that remain unclear before crashing near Business 49 Highway, according to Bates County Emergency Management officials.
Dennis Jacobs, acting airport manager and director of the Bates County Emergency Management Agency, told The Associated Press he suspects the aircraft may have experienced power issues.
“It had just taken off and made a left turn,” Jacobs said. “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.”
Anderson said investigators have found no indication of criminal activity and believe the crash was accidental.
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Some family members of the victims were at the airport and witnessed the crash, officials said.
Travis Phippen told KCTV that he was friends with two of the skydivers killed in the crash.
“This group of people, they love life,” he said. “They love experiencing the most life has to offer.”
Phippen said those killed will be remembered not only for their passion for skydiving, but for the impact they had on friends, family and fellow jumpers.
“As much of a tragedy this is, it tells you how much of mark these people have left a mark on end. The good things that they’ve done or the good experiences that you’ve had,” he told the outlet. “That kind of leads that legacy that they’ll leave.”
Skydive Kansas City asked for privacy as the investigation continues, saying its efforts remain focused on supporting those affected by the tragedy and assisting authorities as they work to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
Fox News Digital’s Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
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