BUTLER, MO – June 15, 2026 – Federal investigators are working to determine what caused Sunday’s deadly plane crash near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri that claimed the lives of 12 people, including 11 skydivers and the pilot.
Authorities say the Pacific Aerospace PAC750XL aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. The Butler Memorial Airport acting manager said the aircraft was unable to gain altitude after taking off and made a sharp left turn before crashing.
Speaking with FOX4 Kansas City, Podhurst Orseck aviation attorney Pablo Rojas explained investigators will closely examine a range of critical factors including the aircraft’s total weight, maintenance records, and operational oversight.
“It’s one of the tragic aspects of this event– that, obviously, 11 people, which is not to minimize the loss of the pilot too, but 11 people left their homes or left where they work looking for a fun, recreational activity, and obviously it tragically ended in a huge loss of life,” said Pablo Rojas.
While skydiving participants are often required to sign liability waivers before boarding an aircraft, those documents do not necessarily foreclose further inquiry into what occurred.
“Sometimes there are waiver exceptions and if the participants in this flight signed a waiver it does not mean it is the end of the story. At times a waiver does not include all parties that may have played a role in the crash,” said Rojas.
As the NTSB’s investigation unfolds, the findings may help answer not only what happened, but whether additional accountability is warranted.
Podhurst Orseck has represented victims and families affected by aviation disasters for nearly six decades and continues to monitor developments in this investigation as additional information becomes available.
