Indian Among 12 Killed In Missouri Skydiving Aircraft Crash

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A 24-year-old Indian technology professional was among 12 people killed when a skydiving aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff in Missouri on June 14.

The victim, Sai Karthik Varma Datla, who was from Andhra Pradesh, lived in the Kansas City area and worked in the healthcare technology sector. He earned a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Central Missouri and had worked for AdventHealth and Capgemini.

The crash occurred at Butler Memorial Airport in Bates County, about 80 miles south of Kansas City. Authorities said the aircraft, carrying a pilot and 11 skydivers, went down on airport property and caught fire, killing everyone on board.

The victims also included Jen Sharp, technology director of the United States Parachute Association.

Federal investigators said the aircraft turned back shortly after takeoff before losing control. Witnesses reported seeing the plane make a sharp turn at low altitude moments before it crashed.

Dennis Jacobs, acting manager of Butler Memorial Airport, said the aircraft appeared to be losing power before impact. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident and has begun collecting witness accounts, photographs and video evidence.

NTSB Vice Chairman Michael Graham said investigators are still in the early stages of the probe and have not determined a cause. He noted that the aircraft did not carry a conventional black box recorder, prompting investigators to seek other sources of flight data.

The aircraft involved was a 2010 Pacific Aerospace 750XL, a model widely used for skydiving operations.