India, June 15 -- At least 12 people were killed after a skydiving aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri, United States, authorities said.

According to officials, the aircraft, operated by a skydiving company, went down moments after departing from the airport on Sunday. All 12 people on board, including the pilot and 11 passengers preparing for a skydiving outing, were killed in the crash.

Preliminary reports indicate that the single-engine Pacific Aerospace 750XL aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude after takeoff before crashing approximately 300 yards from the runway. Witnesses reported that the aircraft made a sharp turn before going down.

Local authorities, the Federal Aviation Admi...