Colorado skydiving instructor among 12 killed in Missouri plane crash

Published
June 18, 2026
Outcome
Fatal
Location
Butler, Missouri
Butler Municipal Airport
View on map
Incident type
Crash, Aircraft

Summary

Car Crash Butler Missouri in Butler, Missouri: A single‐engine turboprop Pacific Aerospace 750XL crashed shortly after takeoff from Butler Municipal Airport in Benton County, Missouri, on Sunday. The aircraft was only about 100 feet above the ground when it made an abrupt left turn and lost power, striking the runway and killing all 12 people aboard, including a seasoned skydiving instructor. Investigators are examining pilot experience and possible mechanical failures.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Jennifer L. Sharp Driver Fatal
Blake Thacker Unknown Fatal
Kurt John Roy Unknown Fatal
Michael Shanahan Unknown Fatal
David Hershberger Unknown Fatal
Sai Karthik Varma Datla Unknown Fatal
Matthew Swope Unknown Fatal
Dustin McKinney Unknown Fatal
Marcus Miller Unknown Fatal
Nicholas Nash Unknown Fatal
William Fischer Unknown Fatal
Dane Cordes Unknown Fatal

Original reporting

Colorado skydiving instructor among 12 killed in Missouri plane crash

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