PA Man Among Victims Of Deadly Missouri Skydiving Plane Crash

BATES COUNTY, MISSOURI — The names of the victims in Sunday's deadly plane crash that killed 11 skydivers and the plane's pilot have been released, and a Pennsylvania man was among the victims.

According to the Bates County Coroner's office, Kurt John Roy, 69, of Windber, Somerset County, died in the fiery crash. Windber is about 70 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Given the severity of the crash, which resulted in the plane bursting into flames just after takeoff at Butler Memorial Airport near Kansas City, positive identifications of all of the victims has not yet occurred.

"The Coroner’s Office has identified the victims of the plane crash that occurred on Sunday, June 14 through the provided manifest and through next of kin notifications," Coroner Jerret Reno said in a social media post.

"The list of individuals identified is currently just a list and the proper authorities are still attempting to make absolute certain the deceased are positively identified. While the investigation is still ongoing and we work to reunite the deceased with their loved ones, we feel comfortable that we have the identities of those twelve passengers on board the plane."

A National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the crash's cause continues, with preliminary findings expected in weeks. A final report is not expected until 2027.

The coroner's office deliberately delayed identifying the victims until late Tuesday.

"We waited to release the names to allow time for the friends and families to reach out to their extended families. Reno said.

"We ask that you allow time and pray for everyone involved as this investigation will take months to complete and has touched people nationwide. God bless you all."

According to the Associated Press, another skydiving plane crashed two years ago near the same airport, but everyone one board parachuted to safety before the crash occurred.

According to the NTSB, the crash happened as a skydiver's parachute got caught on some plane item and sent him wrecking into the plane's horizontal stabilizer as he jumped. That caused the crash.