A 24-year-old Telugu student from Andhra Pradesh was among 12 people killed when a training aircraft carrying skydivers crashed in the US state of Missouri on Sunday. The single-engine plane went down minutes after taking off from Butler Memorial Airport in Bates County, approximately 80 miles south of Kansas City, and burst into flames upon impact in a field, killing all on board, including the pilot.
Victim Identified
The deceased Indian national has been identified as Sai Karthik Varma Datla. His parents, originally from West Godavari district, are currently settled in Kurnool. Karthik was the only Indian among the victims. He had moved to the United States in 2023 to pursue a master's degree after completing his BTech in Computer Science Engineering from Bhimavaram. After earning his master's from the University of Central Missouri, he was working in a temporary role in the healthcare technology sector.
Skydiving Training
According to his grieving family, Karthik had recently enrolled in a skydiving training program in Kansas, believing that acquiring specialized certifications could enhance his employment opportunities. It was during one of these training sessions that the tragedy occurred.
Crash Details
The aircraft developed a technical fault shortly after takeoff and crashed within minutes, triggering a massive fireball. All 12 bodies were charred beyond recognition. Witnesses, including a group of Telugu students waiting for another training session, reportedly watched in horror as the plane went down.
Family Informed
Although the accident occurred on Sunday, the tragic news reached Karthik's parents, Datla Subrahmanyam Raju and Padmavathi, only on Tuesday after US authorities confirmed the identities of the victims. The news has plunged the family into deep grief and devastated Karthik's friends.
Telugu associations in the United States are coordinating with Indian Embassy officials to expedite the process of sending Karthik's mortal remains to India.
