Skydiving Plane Crashes in Missouri, All Aboard Escape Safely

A pilot and six passengers on a skydiving flight in Missouri narrowly escaped serious injury or death when the plane they were in crashed shortly after they jumped out. Here's what we know so far about the incident:

Butler, Mo. - A small plane carrying a pilot and six skydivers crashed in a field near the Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri on Saturday afternoon, but thankfully all aboard escaped safely by parachuting out of the aircraft before it hit the ground.

The incident occurred at approximately 1 p.m. local time, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The aircraft involved was a single-engine Cessna U206C.

Initial reports indicate that the plane was being used for a skydiving operation at the time of the crash. The pilot and passengers were able to exit the plane before it crashed into a hayfield east of the airport's runways.

Authorities confirmed the presence of seven individuals on board the aircraft, including the pilot and six skydivers. The pilot, who parachuted off the plane, was later located in a hangar at the airport.

Local paramedics treated the pilot and passengers at the scene for minor injuries, but none required hospitalization. The plane, however, was declared a total loss.

The Bates County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and secured the wreckage. NTSB investigators are expected to recover the wreckage and transport it to an offsite facility for further examination.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and the NTSB will be conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to the incident.

The Butler Memorial Airport is located approximately 62 miles south of Kansas City, Missouri. The airport is used for general aviation purposes, including skydiving operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified of the incident and is assisting in the investigation.

* The pilot and passengers were all experienced skydivers.

* The weather conditions at the time of the crash were clear.

* There were no other aircraft or people involved in the incident.

* The NTSB's investigation is ongoing, and more information is expected to be released in the coming days.