All 12 people on board were killed in a plane crash in the US state of Missouri, authorities said on Monday, the Washington Post reported.
A plane operated by a local company was unable to gain altitude after take-off, the paper wrote, quoting Bates County emergency management director Dennis Jacobs.
The aircraft then made a sudden turn and hit the ground at a steep angle. Neither the pilot nor the 11 passengers were able to save themselves, Jacobs said, according to the newspaper. They were on their way to spend the afternoon skydiving.
Agency to analyse radar data and weather information
According to the report, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was due to arrive at the crash site later on Monday to investigate.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said NTSB will lead the investigation and provide updates. "At the time of the crash, the FAA was not providing air traffic control services.," it said on X.
The deadly crash occurred near an airfield in the area of the small town of Butler south of Kansas City.
The Washington Post quoted Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson as saying that relatives on the ground witnessed the crash. A press conference announced by the sheriff's office said it was not a passenger aircraft operated by a commercial airline. Based on information to date, the crash was an accident.
