India, June 15 -- At least 11 skydivers and a pilot were killed after a small aircraft crashed in the US state of Missouri on Sunday, according to media reports.

The aircraft, leased by a skydiving company, took off around 11:20 a.m. local time on Sunday, Bates County Emergency Management spokesperson told the BBC.

Shortly after departure, the plane reportedly failed to gain altitude, made a sharp left turn, and crashed approximately 200 yards from Butler Memorial Airport, the spokesperson said.

Authorities confirmed that all 12 people on board died in the incident.

During a press conference, Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson said the aircraft was not a commercial passenger airliner.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) iden...