Victims of a plane crash that killed 11 passengers and a pilot on a skydiving trip in Missouri have begun to be publicly identified.
The crash, near Butler Memorial Airport, took place on Sunday around 11:30 a.m. local time, about 65 miles south of Kansas City. The Skydive Kansas City plane was engulfed in fire when it “landed in a field adjacent to the airport,” Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) Sergeant Justin Ewing said.
Authorities have not yet released the names of those who died in the crash, but some family members, friends and colleagues have begun paying tribute to their loved ones.
Jen Sharp
Jen Sharp was the technology director for Skydiving KC’s governing body, the United States Parachute Association. The association identified her in an article on its website.
“Jen was a remarkable force whose passion for the skies was matched only by her dedication to the people in our sport,” USPA Executive Director Albert Berchtold said in a statement.
“Her loss leaves an unfillable void in our office, our community, and our hearts. We are incredibly grateful for the years of laughter, innovation, and friendship we shared with her,” he continued.
Michael Shanahan
Michael Shanahan was identified in a GoFundMe campaign that Brandon Carney, a childhood friend of his son, set up for the family.
Shanahan was on his way to his 23rd tandem jump, according to the fundraiser.
“He was a humble human and a very dedicated native to the city,” Carney wrote. “He loved his friends and this man worked very hard.”
His mother, Gloria Shanahan, told The Kansas City Star that he began skydiving after his sister Nikki Minick died from breast cancer in 2016.
“Michael saw her working so hard to survive that he decided then to enjoy life,” she said.
Dave Hershberger
The North Kansas City School District told local schools that orchestra teacher Dave Hershberger was among those who died, according to local broadcaster KSHB 41 News.
“Mr. Hershberger was a beloved member of the Antioch and Oak Park family and was not only a passionate educator and talented musician, but one of the kindest humans,” the district wrote. “Mr. Hershberger has inspired so many of our students through his love for music and the way he treated others every day. He modeled appreciation and genuine care for everyone who was lucky enough to know him.”
How the Crash Happened
The Skydive KC plane “had just taken off and made a left turn” before the crash, said Dennis Jacobs, the acting airport manager and director of the Bates County Emergency Management Agency.
“In my opinion I think it was losing power, and he was trying to make it over to the highway and land, and he stalled and went down nose first and caught fire,” he said, calling the crash “brutal.”
A 911 call went out about a downed plane on fire, and multiple agencies responded, including the MSHP, the Butler Police Department and the Bates County Sheriff’s Office.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash to determine its cause.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Leave a Reply