In a fortunate turn of events, a pilot and six passengers managed to safely jump from a small plane just moments before it crashed in a field in Missouri on Saturday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the single-engine Cessna U206C crashed near the Butler Memorial Airport at approximately 1 p.m.

While limited information is currently available regarding the circumstances leading up to the crash, preliminary data suggests that the plane was involved in a skydiving mission. According to the NTSB, all occupants, including the pilot, successfully exited the aircraft before it plummeted to the ground.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) corroborated that there were seven individuals on board the plane at the time of the incident. The pilot, who safely parachuted off the aircraft, was found at an airport hangar by the Bates County Sheriff's Office. The remaining six passengers also deployed their parachutes before the plane crashed, as per KCTV reports.

Emergency medical services quickly arrived at the scene to provide medical assistance to the pilot and passengers. Thankfully, all of them were treated on-site and subsequently released by paramedics, according to the sheriff's office.

The wreckage of the aircraft was discovered in a hayfield situated to the east of the airport's runways. The sheriff's office described the plane as a "total loss." NTSB investigators will now take charge of recovering the wreckage and transporting it to an offsite facility for further examination.

As investigations continue, authorities aim to uncover the exact cause of the crash. The outcome of their findings will shed light on any potential safety concerns or contributing factors that led to the incident.

This fortunate escape serves as a reminder of the importance of swift action and adherence to safety protocols in emergency situations, ultimately ensuring the well-being of those involved.