Teacher, cancer survivor and aspiring instructors among 12 killed in Missouri skydiving plane crash

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: The 12 people killed in the Missouri skydiving plane crash that shocked the close-knit skydiving community have now been identified, as grieving families, friends, and fellow jumpers continue paying tribute to those who died in one of the deadliest civilian aviation accidents in the state's recent history.

According to the Bates County Department of Emergency Management, the aircraft, a Pacific Aerospace P750XL, was carrying nine experienced skydivers, two tandem jumpers, and a pilot.

All died when the plane, which had just taken off from the Butler, Missouri, airport south of Kansas City, took an unexpected turn and nosedived into the ground about 300 yards from the runway.

Missouri plane crash victims identified and remembered

The Bates County Coroner's Office identified the 12 victims as Dane Cordes, 42, of Richmond, Missouri; Kurt John Roy of Windber, Pennsylvania; Michael R Shanahan of Kansas City, Missouri; David Hershberger of Liberty, Missouri; Sai Karthik Varma of India; Matthew Swope of Independence, Missouri; Dustin McKinney of Stilwell, Kansas; Jennifer L Sharp of Grand Junction, Colorado; Blake Thacker of Olathe, Kansas; Marcus Miller of Lawrence, Kansas; Nicholas Nash of Harrisonville, Missouri; and William Fischer of De Soto, Kansas.

As their identities became public, tributes poured in from grieving relatives, friends, and fellow skydivers, many describing the victims as adventurous, generous, and deeply committed members of the close-knit skydiving community.

Several had years of experience in the sport, while others were remembered first and foremost as devoted parents, spouses, siblings, and friends.

Music teacher Dave Hershberger, named as one of the 12 victims, was mourned by students at Oak Park High School and Antioch Middle School, where he also taught, according to ABC News affiliate KMBC.

The popular educator, who worked for the North Kansas City School District for 11 years, was also a veteran skydiver whose Facebook account was filled with images of him on tandem jumps.

Hershberger, who taught band and orchestra, was “not only a passionate educator and talented musician, but one of the kindest humans”, the principals of both schools said in a joint statement.

The mother of Matthew Swope, 39, paid tribute to her son in a Facebook post that requested prayers for his family, including three sisters and two brothers. Dorcie Swope, a widow, said her son “died doing what he loved best”.

KMBC cited friends and family members who said Matthew Swope was a cancer survivor who had completed more than 750 parachute jumps and was an “expert” skydiver.

At least four of the victims were about to make their final jumps before becoming skydiving instructors, KMBC reported. Among them was Will Fischer, 23.

“Nothing can describe the grief I feel … To my annoying little brother, I will miss you forever,” his sister posted on Facebook, according to the Kansas City Star.

Fischer’s friend Kevin Stone, a skydiving instructor in Chicago with whom he made his first jump, told the newspaper he took a group up on Monday in the same type of plane that crashed in Missouri.

“I was breathing a little bit heavier on my first couple loads today [but] I think that if this stopped me from jumping today, Will would be insulted,” Stone said.

Skydiving community mourns Missouri crash victims

Skydive Kansas City called the crash a devastating loss for the organization and the wider skydiving community, saying its immediate focus remains supporting the victims' families while cooperating fully with investigators.

Other victims included Marcus Miller, an experienced jumper, and Jen Sharp, who was director of technology for the US Parachute Association, a 41,000-member organization for skydiving enthusiasts.

“Jen was a remarkable force whose passion for the skies was matched only by her dedication to the people in our sport,” the group’s executive director, Albert Berchtold, said in a tribute on its website.

“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.”

Michael Shanahan worked with Kansas City Sheet Metal Union Local #2 for more than 30 years and was preparing for retirement, according to KSHB.

The 54-year-old was on his way to his 23rd tandem jump after taking up skydiving to honor his late sister, who died of breast cancer.

Nick Nash was an avid skydiver and operated a tree-trimming service in Holden, Missouri, according to The Washington Post.

“He had this mindset: ‘I’m not going to live forever,’” his daughter Haylie Hagan told the publication. “He always wanted to do things and explore and live life to the fullest.”

While the investigation may take months, communities across Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado are now focused on remembering the 12 lives lost.

Memorials, vigils, and tributes continue to grow as families prepare to say goodbye to loved ones whose final journey ended in tragedy.