Tragic skydiving crash claims 12 lives in Missouri

A devastating aviation accident in Missouri on Sunday, June 15, 2026, in the United States, has claimed the lives of 12 people, including a 24-year-old Indian tech professional identified as Sai Karthik Varma Datla. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport in Bates County, approximately 80 miles south of Kansas City, when a skydiving aircraft went down and burst into flames.

Indian professional among victims

Datla, originally from India, was working in the healthcare technology sector in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He held a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Central Missouri and had professional experience with major firms including Capgemini and AdventHealth. His career focused on cloud migration, automation, and software deployment, reflecting a strong technical background built after moving to the United States for higher studies.

Aircraft lost control shortly after takeoff

According to preliminary reports, the 2010 Pacific Aerospace 750XL aircraft experienced difficulty shortly after departure. Witnesses reported that the plane turned back unexpectedly before losing control and crashing into a field within airport property. All 12 individuals on board, including the pilot and experienced skydivers, were killed in the impact and subsequent fire.

Investigation underway into cause of crash

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the incident. Officials are currently collecting witness statements, photos, and video evidence to determine the cause of the crash. The aircraft, commonly used for skydiving operations, was not equipped with a black box, making the investigation more reliant on external evidence and technical analysis. Authorities have stated that it is too early to confirm the exact reason for the fatal failure.