Identities Revealed of Missouri Skydiving Crash Victims
WHO:
The Guardian - Victims identified include Dave Hershberger, a high school music teacher; Matthew Swope, a 39-year-old cancer survivor; Will Fischer, 23; Marcus Miller; Jen Sharp, director of technology for the US Parachute Association; and others including Nick Nash, Mike Shanahan, Dane Cordes, and Dustin McKinney.
The Guardian - Dorcie Swope, mother of Matthew Swope, and principals of Oak Park High School and Antioch Middle School provided tributes.
WHAT:
The Guardian - A skydiving plane crash in Missouri killed 12 people, including nine experienced skydivers, two tandem jumpers, and a pilot.
The Guardian - The aircraft involved was a Pacific Aerospace P750XL.
The Guardian - The plane nosedived into the ground 300 yards from the runway after taking off from Butler, Missouri airport.
The Guardian - At least four victims were preparing to become skydiving instructors.
WHERE:
The Guardian - The crash occurred near Butler, Missouri, south of Kansas City.
WHEN:
The Guardian - The crash occurred on a weekend, with a full report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) expected in at least 2027.
WHY:
The Guardian - The NTSB has indicated that weak oversight of the skydiving industry can lead to unnoticed problems with aircraft maintenance.
The Guardian - Previous incidents at the same airport, including a May 2024 crash, highlight ongoing safety concerns.
HOW:
The Guardian - The NTSB is conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash, with preliminary findings expected in the coming weeks.
(UPDATED June 16, 2026 20:14 UTC)
A tragic skydiving plane crash in Missouri has claimed the lives of twelve individuals, including nine experienced skydivers, two tandem jumpers, and the pilot of the Pacific Aerospace P750XL aircraft. Among the victims were high school music teacher Dave Hershberger, cancer survivor Matthew Swope, and technology director Jen Sharp, with heartfelt tributes coming from family members and school principals. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, with preliminary findings anticipated in the coming weeks and a full report expected in 2027, as concerns about oversight in the skydiving industry continue to grow.