All 12 people on board a plane that crashed in Butler, Missouri, are presumed dead, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol.
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The plane, that was carrying skydivers with Skydive Kansas City, crashed Sunday morning near Butler Memorial Airport along Business Interstate 49, per the highway patrol and an airport official.
The aircraft had just taken off and was unable to gain altitude, according to Butler Memorial Airport Acting Manager Dennis Jacobs. It then made a sharp left turn and may have been attempting to land on the highway when it crashed, Jacobs told NBC News.
Troopers are on the scene along with the Butler Police Department and Bates County Sheriff’s Office. Business Interstate 49 has been shut down in both directions “for an undetermined amount of time,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Video from the scene shows billowing smoke emerging from the wreckage in a field.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it is collecting information on the crash and “will likely launch a team.”
The Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Nollaig O’Connor contributed.
