BUTLER, Mo. — Matthew Swope was reportedly among the 12 people who lost their lives in a devastating plane crash involving a Skydive Kansas City aircraft near Butler Memorial Airport on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Preliminary reports also indicate that Nick Nash, Dustin McKinney, and Jen Sharp were among the victims of the tragedy. Authorities have not yet released an official roster of those killed as identification procedures and family notifications remain ongoing.
The fatal accident involved a Pacific Aerospace 750XL turboprop aircraft, commonly known as the PAC 750XL, which was operating a scheduled parachute flight. According to early information from investigators and local officials, the aircraft departed Butler Memorial Airport at approximately 11:20 a.m. carrying a pilot and 11 skydivers. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reportedly encountered difficulties as the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude.
Witnesses and preliminary reports suggest the pilot attempted to return to the airport after recognizing the developing emergency. However, the aircraft crashed a short distance from the runway before reaching safety. The impact was followed by a fire that completely destroyed the airplane, leaving no survivors among those on board.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the crash scene and launched an extensive search beneath the aircraft’s flight path. Officials confirmed there was no indication that any of the skydivers had exited the aircraft before the crash occurred. The victims included all 11 skydivers and the pilot, making it one of the deadliest skydiving-related aviation disasters in the United States in recent years.
As investigators from federal and local agencies work to determine the exact cause of the crash, families, friends, and members of the skydiving community are mourning an unimaginable loss. Tributes have begun pouring in for those believed to have perished, including Matthew Swope and the other reported victims. The tragedy has sent shockwaves throughout Missouri and the broader skydiving community as loved ones remember the lives cut tragically short.
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