An Indian technician was among the 12 victims of Sunday morning’s horrific plane crash in Missouri. Sai Karthik Varma Datla was identified as a 24-year-old man from India in the official list released Tuesday afternoon by the Bates County Coroner’s Office. The victims included experienced skydivers who were aboard a 2010 Pacific Airways 750XL aircraft that crashed shortly after takeoff from Butler Memorial Airport around 11:30 a.m. Sunday. The plane turned around for unknown reasons, then lost control, crashed into the airport grounds and burst into flames, killing everyone on board.Some family members of the victims witnessed the fatal accident. Records show that the aircraft, tail number N221BN, is registered to a Tennessee company called SkyHi Aero LLC. The aircraft was also used by a Chattanooga skydiving company and was later operated by Kansas City Skydiving, which leased space at Butler Airport. Skydiving Kansas City, which coordinated Sunday’s flight, issued a statement after the accident:“This is a devastating loss for everyone associated with Skydiving Kansas City and the broader skydiving community. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, friends and loved ones of all the victims.The Pacific Airways P750XL aircraft was carrying nine experienced skydivers, two tandem skydivers and a pilot, according to the Bates County Emergency Management Department. Sunday’s crash is considered one of the deadliest skydiving incidents in the United States in decades.Full list of victimsKurt John Roy – 69, Windber, PAMichael R Shanahan – 54, Kansas City, MODavid Hershberger – 54, of Liberty, Missouri.Sai Karthik Varma Datla- 24 years old, from IndiaMatthew Swope – 39, Independence, MissouriDustin McKinney – 44, Stilwell, KansasJennifer L Sharp – 55, Grand Junction, ColoradoBlake Thacker – 25, Olathe, KansasMarcus Miller – 30, Lawrence, KansasNicholas Nash – 40, Harrisonville, MOWilliam Fischer – 23 years old, from DeSoto, KansasDane Cordes – 26, Richmond, MOSai Karthik Varma Datla is from Andhra Pradesh, India. He came to the United States to pursue higher education and completed his education at the University of Central Missouri. He works at AdventHealth and went skydiving on Sunday.
