Kansas

11 skydivers, pilot killed after plane crashes south of Kansas City

Published

3 weeks ago

June 14, 2026

11 skydivers, pilot killed after plane crashes south of Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Twelve people, almost all skydivers, are dead after a plane crashed south of Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday.

A spokesperson with Bates County Emergency Management said that just before 11 a.m., a private plane leaving the Butler Memorial Airport turned around for an unknown reason before crashing in the area of Business 49 Highway.

Missouri Highway Patrol confirmed that all 12 people aboard the plane are dead.

Eleven skydivers and a pilot were said to be aboard, sources told Nexstar’s WDAF.

“The plane took off and then, at that point, it went down. We’re not sure exactly anything beyond that,” Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson told reporters during a press briefing on Sunday.”

Multiple people, including family members of the victims, witnessed the crash, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department confirmed.

Emergency crews were searching the area to determine if any skydivers were able to jump from the plane before the crash.

Twelve people – 11 skydivers and a pilot – are dead after a plane crash in Butler, Missouri, south of Kansas City, on June 14, 2026. (WDAF)

Responders were able to quickly extinguish the plane, which became engulfed in fire after crashing, according to Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Justin Ewing. He described the scene as “brutal” to the Associated Press.

The Pacific Aerospace 750XL that crashed is a single engine turboprop plane model that’s popular for skydiving but has also proven useful for other uses, including cargo, aerial surveying and medical evacuation flights. The aircraft can carry as many as 17 skydivers and is capable of taking off and landing on short runways. The plane that crashed Saturday was manufactured in 2010, according to FAA records.

Flight Radar data shows the plane reached an altitude of about 13,400 feet after taking off on Sunday morning before descending quickly for about two minutes.

The investigation into the crash is expected to last several days as authorities work to determine what led up to the crash.

Authorities do not suspect any criminal activity or terrorism in the plane’s crash, and Anderson said they do not believe there is any connection to the World Cup. Kansas City is one of the more than two dozen North American cities playing host to the soccer tournament.

The Butler airport had another skydiving-related crash as recently as 2024. In May of that year, seven people on a single-engine, six-seater Cessna U206C had to eject from the aircraft after one of the passenger’s parachutes prematurely deployed, causing complications to the daily skydiving operation.

All seven people on board returned safely to the ground, including the pilot. The plane was considered a total loss.

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Kansas

Rainy holiday: Spirit of Kansas’ Car Show, Blues fest, MHK cardboard box regatta cancelled

Published

10 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Rainy holiday: Spirit of Kansas’ Car Show, Blues fest, MHK cardboard box regatta cancelled

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A rainy Independence Day morning is impacting holiday events around the area.

Following an initial delay, Shawnee Co. Parks + Recreation announced the Spirit of Kansas Car Show and Blue Festival is cancelled.

As of right now, the Capitol Federal Fireworks Show is still slated to start at 10 p.m.

Other Independence Day events like the Potwin Neighborhood parade and Collins Park Neighborhood parade have been cancelled due to the rainfall. The College Hill Neighborhood parade stepped off about 20 minutes late, but still got in their event.

In Manhattan, after remaining hopeful they’d be in the clear, Manhattan Parks and Rec cancelled its Star-Spangled Spectacular Cardboard Box Regatta.

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Kansas

Colombia fans in Kansas City celebrated victory Friday over Ghana in the Round of 32 World Cup match

Published

20 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Colombia fans in Kansas City celebrated victory Friday over Ghana in the Round of 32 World Cup match

KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne reports on stories in Overland Park, Johnson County and topics about government accountability. Share your story idea with Isabella.

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Colombians, Ghanians and Argentinians in Kansas City brought the energy and excitement for Friday’s Round of 32 matches in the World Cup.

Colombia fans in Kansas City celebrate victory win over Ghana in World Cup match

Colombia and Ghana played Friday at Kansas City Stadium, with Colombia winning over the Black Stars 1-0.

At Paisa MX Columbian Restaurant in North Kansas City, dozens celebrated their country’s win with dancing, food, and more dancing.

Colombia could now have a match with Argentina in the quarterfinals in Kansas City if both teams win their next matches

With Friday’s win over Cape Verde, Argentina is one step closer to coming back to Kansas City.

Jake Weller

“It’s a big deal for me because my dad is Argentinian,” Jeremias Carmona, a soccer fan said. “Having Argentina in our backyard is literally the best thing.”

But Cape Verde didn’t go home without a fight, pushing Argentina to extra time at the end of the match.

“If you’re not at the game, you feel like you’re at the game [at watch parties] because the amount of people there are here,” Carmona said.

Even though the matches are higher stakes and more intense, it’s still a special moment shared between families.

“It’s so cool to share [the game] with [my dad] who encouraged me and pushed me in soccer,” fan Kaelynn Seestadt said. “It’s been a really amazing experience.”

Valeria Lobo traveled to Kansas City with her mom, Bade, hoping to see her family’s country win.

“It’s our first Colombia match and we’re so excited,” Valeria Lobo said.

“Really big World Cup energy [in Kansas City],” Lobo said. “I love it so much.”

Some fans traveled from right down the road, buying their match tickets five minutes before an interview with KSHB 41 News.

“We’re going to do it and have the most memorable night of our life,” fan Ben Johnson said.

Kansas City turned yellow Friday night for both Ghana and Colombia, with the community giving that warm Midwest welcome.

“It feels like home,” Colombia fan Martha Bermudez said. “You get goosebumps to see your Colombia colors and hear your language.”

At Paisa MX, it was a home away from home for dozens of Colombians in Kansas City.

“We’ve been looking everywhere for a Colombia restaurant,” fan Christina Rose said. “The food made us feel like we were back home and this place has it all.”

Colombia will now face Switzerland in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, July 7.

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