Three men from Johnson County were among the skydivers killed in Sunday’s plane crash in Butler, Missouri.
Eleven skydivers and one pilot were on board on flight, which crashed at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, just after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
Here’s what we know about each of the victims from Johnson County, Kansas.
Dustin McKinney of Stilwell
44-year-old Dustin McKinney, of Stilwell, was among the victims of the skydiving plane crash near Butler Memorial Airport earlier this week.
“Friends and colleagues describe him as a deeply committed and enthusiastic individual who brought energy and positivity to every space he entered,” his obituary says. “Friends say he will be remembered for the rhythm he brought to music, the joy he shared with others, and the passion he carried into everything he pursued.”
A father of two children, McKinney was active in the local skydiving community and a fixture in the local music scene, as well, most recently as a drummer for Sidewise, a Kansas City hard rock band.
“Dustin was one of a kind. A genuine brother to everyone. An incredible father. And one hell of an adventurer,” said a social media tribute from Waking Demons, a local metal band.
A GoFundMe has been set up in his memory to support his family following his death, which has so far raised more than $40,000. Find out more here.
Jessica Cook, a family friend who created the online fundraiser, described McKinney as “the most unapologetically authentic person.”
Blake Thacker of Olathe
Blake Thacker, 25, devoted his life to aviation.
The Olathe man was an aviation software engineer at Garmin, but didn’t leave planes at the office. He wrote on his LinkedIn that outside of work he had a “personal passion for flights and aviation.”
Thacker moved to Olathe from Virginia in October to work as an aviation software engineer at Garmin. At the time, he wrote he “couldn’t possibly be happier to be stepping into my career with a job about which I can truly be passionate.”
He received both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of Florida and was a software engineer intern at NASA.
He was also an experienced skydiver.
According to his LinkedIn, he had a B-License with the United States Parachute Association and at that time had 192 skydives.
To obtain a B-License, a diver has to complete at least 50 jumps and complete oral and written exams. These divers are able to solo jump without supervision.
His Instagram also shows snaps and videos from his dives. His bio reads: I mostly do nerd stuff and/or jump out of planes.
His parents, Richard and Sherry Thacker, live in Dothan, Alabama. Dr. Richard Thacker is the president-elect of the American Osteopathic Association.
William Fischer of De Soto
William Fischer, a 23-year-old De Soto resident, was the youngest passenger on board the Butler, Missouri, flight that ended in tragedy Sunday morning.
The flight would’ve helped Fischer complete his training to become a skydiving instructor.
“Nothing can describe the grief I feel…,” his sister, Josie Fischer, posted on Facebook Monday morning. “To my annoying little brother, I will miss you forever…”
When he wasn’t outdoor skydiving, Fischer worked as an instructor with iFLY Kansas City, an indoor skydiving venue, in Overland Park.
“Our hearts are with Will’s family, loved ones, and the Kansas City team during this difficult time,” the company posted Wednesday morning on Facebook. “We will remember Will for his passion, his dedication to others, and the positive impact he made on those around him. He will be deeply missed.”
Fischer’s social media is filled with videos of him enjoying skydiving and BASE jumping. In the last video he posted of him skydiving, from June 7 in Butler, Mo., he captioned it “I still love to fly.”
His dad, Donn Fischer, left a comment on the video, expressing his grief.
“Fly high, Son!! My heart is broken…,” Donn Fischer wrote Monday.
Fischer attended Mill Valley High School before transferring and graduating from De Soto High School in 2022, reports USD 232.
His cousin, Jacob Hughes, also posted to Facebook sharing memories of Fischer.
“Dude is a certified badass,” Hughes wrote Wednesday morning. “Will and I were the ‘thrill seekers’ of the family. Growing up, if I was doing something reckless, sketchy, or downright not smart, Will was always there next to me.”
The pair lived freely, doing what they wanted without caring what others thought, Hughes said.
“His positive attitude and laugh will be missed dearly,” Hughes said.
