Pacific Aerospace 750XL Crashes in Missouri, Killing All 12 Aboard
"The plane appeared to be losing power and stalled before going down nose-first."
— Dennis Jacobs, Acting Airport Manager
A Pacific Aerospace 750XL aircraft operated by Skydive Kansas City crashed near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri on Sunday, June 14, 2026, killing all 12 people on board. The flight, which departed around 11:30 a.m. local time, was carrying 11 skydivers and a pilot. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the incident.
Incident Details
The aircraft, a single-engine turboprop manufactured in 2010, had just taken off and made a left turn before crashing approximately 300 yards from the runway in an open field adjacent to the airport near Business 49 Highway. The aircraft was engulfed in flames upon impact, and emergency responders extinguished the fire.
Acting airport manager Dennis Jacobs stated that the plane appeared to be losing power and stalled before going down nose-first. First responders found no evidence that any individuals had jumped from the aircraft before impact. Family members of some victims were at the airport and reportedly witnessed the crash.
The aircraft was capable of carrying up to 17 skydivers and is commonly used for skydiving, cargo, aerial surveying, and medical evacuation flights.
Victims
Officials have not released an official list of the deceased pending notification of next of kin. Multiple sources have identified the following individuals among the victims:
- Dave Hershberger: Music teacher at Oak Park High School and Antioch Middle School in North Kansas City School District and veteran skydiver.
- Matthew Swope, 39: Cancer survivor and experienced skydiver with over 750 jumps.
- Will Fischer, 23: Was preparing to make his final jump before becoming a skydiving instructor.
- Jen Sharp: Director of technology for the United States Parachute Association.
- Marcus Miller: Experienced jumper.
- Nick Nash, Mike Shanahan, Dane Cordes, Dustin McKinney: Additional confirmed victims per multiple reports.
Nine of the victims were reported to be experienced skydivers, and two were tandem jumpers.
Statements
"They had no chance."
— Dennis Jacobs, Acting Airport Manager / Bates County Emergency Management Agency Director
Skydive Kansas City described the event as a "devastating loss" and said the team is "in shock." The company stated it is cooperating with local authorities, the FAA, and the NTSB.
Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson stated the incident appears to be an accident and offered condolences.
Investigation
The NTSB is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. Investigators will document the scene, examine the aircraft, and request radar data, weather information, maintenance records, and the pilot's medical records. The investigation will consider human, machine, and environmental factors.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days; a final report may take 12 to 24 months.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Butler Police Department, and Bates County Sheriff's Office. Air traffic services were not being provided at the airport at the time of the crash.
Context
This incident is the deadliest skydiving plane crash in the United States since a 2019 crash in Hawaii that killed 11 people. The NTSB has previously cited weak oversight of the skydiving industry. Skydiving planes operate under FAA Part 91 regulations, which are less stringent than those for commercial charter or airline flights.
The NTSB has recommended tighter rules for skydiving operations since 2008, but the FAA has not adopted those recommendations.
Butler Memorial Airport serves approximately 30 privately owned aircraft, including crop dusting and skydiving operators.