A small plane carrying skydivers crashed in Missouri on Monday, but all aboard survived with only minor injuries, authorities said.
Crash Details
The aircraft, a Cessna 208 Caravan, went down shortly after takeoff from the Skydive Kansas City facility near the small town of Gardner, about 30 miles southwest of Kansas City. The plane was carrying 10 skydivers and a pilot.
Emergency crews responded to the scene and found the plane in a field. All 11 people on board were able to walk away from the crash. They were taken to area hospitals for evaluation, but none had life-threatening injuries, officials said.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash. The pilot reported engine trouble shortly after takeoff, according to preliminary reports.
Witnesses described seeing the plane struggling to gain altitude before it turned back toward the airfield and then disappeared behind trees. The plane came to rest in a cornfield, with its wings torn off and fuselage damaged but largely intact.
Skydive Kansas City said in a statement that the pilot did an excellent job of landing the plane in a field to avoid any buildings or people on the ground. The company expressed gratitude that everyone survived.
Community Reaction
The incident has shocked the local community, but there is relief that no one was killed. Gardner Mayor Jim Miller said it was a miracle that everyone walked away. He praised the first responders for their quick action.
The skydivers were part of a group that had been planning a day of jumps. Some of them described the experience as terrifying but said they were grateful to be alive. One skydiver said the pilot was a hero for bringing the plane down safely.
The NTSB will continue its investigation and release a preliminary report within a few weeks. The crash site remains secured as investigators gather evidence.
