An investigation continues after a small plane crashed during takeoff from an
airport near Kansas City, killing the pilot and a passenger. The Kansas Highway
Patrol identified the victims as the pilot, 48-year-old Jonathan J. Vannatta of
Maumelle, Arkansas, and 43-year-old passenger Darcy L. Matthews of Belton,
Texas. The Federal Aviation Administration registry lists Vannatta as co-owner
of the plane. The accident happened around 4 p.m. Tuesday at Johnson County
Executive Airport. The plane was on fire when emergency responders arrived. FAA
spokesman Tony Molinaro says the single-engine Mooney M20S crashed “under
unknown circumstances” shortly after departing from the airport.
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