Pilot, 11 skydivers killed in US plane crash

A plane carrying skydivers crashed in Missouri, United States, on Sunday morning, June 14, killing all 12 people on board, including the pilot . What was meant to be an adventurous skydiving expedition turned into a tragic disaster in moments.

The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Butler Memorial Airport in Bates County, about 100 kilometres south of Kansas City . Witnesses said the plane struggled to gain altitude and made a sharp left turn before losing control, nosediving into an open field adjacent to the airport and bursting into flames .

According to local authorities, the single-engine Pacific Aerospace P-750XL was operated by Skydive Kansas City, a private company . On board were 11 skydivers and the pilot. Officials confirmed that some of the skydivers were experienced, while others were first-timers preparing for tandem jumps .

Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson said some family members of the victims witnessed the crash from near the airport . "Our hearts go out to them. There's nothing we can really say to make it better," Anderson said.

Acting airport manager Dennis Jacobs said the plane had just taken off when it appeared to lose power. "In my opinion, 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," Jacobs said .

First responders arrived quickly and extinguished the blaze, but no survivors were found . Emergency crews also searched the area under the flight path for anyone who might have jumped before the crash but found no such evidence .

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that air traffic control services were not being provided at the time of the crash . The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation, though a final report on the cause may take one to two years .

This is one of the deadliest skydiving plane crashes in recent decades in the United States . Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims pending notification of family members.