Tragic Skydiving Aircraft Crash in Missouri Claims 12 Lives, Including Indian National

A devastating skydiving aircraft crash in Missouri has resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, including an Indian national, Sai Karthik Varma Datla. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff near Butler Memorial Airport, leading to an extensive investigation by aviation authorities. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft lose control before crashing into a field. The tragedy has deeply affected the skydiving community and the families of the victims. As officials work to identify the deceased and notify their relatives, the incident is being recognized as one of the deadliest skydiving-related accidents in recent history.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 17, 2026, 04:58 IST

Fatal Aircraft Incident in Missouri

On Sunday, a tragic accident involving a skydiving aircraft in Missouri resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, including an Indian national. The Bates County Coroner's Office confirmed on Tuesday that one of the deceased was Sai Karthik Varma Datla, a 24-year-old from India. The aircraft, a 2010 Pacific Aerospace P750XL, crashed shortly after takeoff near Butler Memorial Airport, leading to the loss of all passengers aboard.

The plane was reportedly carrying nine seasoned skydivers, two tandem jumpers, and a pilot. Sai Karthik Varma Datla, originally from Andhra Pradesh, had traveled to the United States for higher education. After completing his studies at the University of Central Missouri, he was employed at AdventHealth and had decided to try skydiving on that fateful day.

Witnesses reported that the aircraft took off shortly before 11:30 AM local time but soon turned back for reasons that remain unclear. It subsequently lost control and crashed into a field on airport property, igniting a fire. This incident marks one of the most severe skydiving-related aviation disasters in recent history in the United States. Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson noted that some family members of the victims witnessed the crash.

Images from the crash site depicted a large area of twisted metal, with emergency vehicles present as rescue operations commenced. Clergy and volunteers were dispatched to support the families gathered at the scene. Officials worked diligently to identify the victims and inform their relatives.

Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were on-site, and investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began their inquiry into the incident. The aircraft was operated by Skydive Kansas City, as confirmed by Dennis Jacobs, the acting airport manager. The plane, registered as N221BN, was owned by SkyHi Aero LLC, a Tennessee-based company, and had previously been utilized by a skydiving operation in Chattanooga.

In a statement, Skydive Kansas City expressed their condolences, stating, "This is a devastating loss for everyone connected to Skydive Kansas City and for the wider skydiving community. Our deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and loved ones of all who were lost." Jacobs described the aircraft as a single-engine turboprop that had just taken off and made a left turn before the crash, suggesting it may have been losing power.

The Pacific Aerospace P750XL is commonly used for skydiving, as well as for cargo transport, aerial surveying, and medical evacuations. It is capable of carrying over 4,000 pounds and is designed for operation from shorter runways.

The victims have been identified as follows:

Kurt John Roy - 69 years old from Windber, Pennsylvania.
Michael R. Shanahan - 54 years old from Kansas City, Missouri.
David Hershberger - 54 years old from Liberty, Missouri.
Sai Karthik Varma Datla - 24 years old from India.
Matthew Swope - 39 years old from Independence, Missouri.
Dustin McKinney - 44 years old from Stilwell, Kansas.
Jennifer L. Sharp - 55 years old from Grand Junction, Colorado.
Blake Thacker - 25 years old from Olathe, Kansas.
Marcus Miller - 30 years old from Lawrence, Kansas.
Nicholas Nash - 40 years old from Harrisonville, Missouri.
William Fischer - 23 years old from De Soto, Kansas.
Dane Cordes - 26 years old from Richmond, Missouri.