Newsletters
A private jet carrying nine people crashed into a residential neighborhood in southern Florida on Sunday, killing everyone on board after the pilot reported icing, moderate turbulence and a terrifyingly rapid descent in the aircraft's final moments.
The Learjet 60 was flying from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when it crashed near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time (6:50 p.m. GMT), according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The crash occurred less than seven miles (11 kilometers) from U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. Trump had departed from a nearby airport aboard Air Force One about an hour before the crash.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that all nine people aboard the aircraft had died, describing the incident as a "horrific tragedy."
Air traffic control recordings revealed how the flight deteriorated in the minutes before the crash, with the pilot reporting icing and moderate turbulence before the aircraft suddenly began losing altitude.
"We have light, clear ice that is manageable and moderate turbulence," the pilot told air traffic controllers, according to recordings archived by LiveATC.net.
The crew later reported that precipitation was building and requested to climb. But the situation quickly spiraled out of control.
"We're descending 8,000. Mayday, mayday. We're descending 10,000 feet per minute," the pilot reported.
Seconds later, the pilot declared an emergency and reported that the aircraft was in an overspeed condition, descending at 20,000 feet per minute.
"We're going to crash into the ground," the pilot warned.
The aircraft continued plunging toward the ground. The pilot subsequently reported a descent rate of 22,000 feet per minute as the plane banked sharply.
Flight-tracking data from ADS-B Exchange showed that the aircraft lost 27,000 feet in approximately one minute before the data cut off.
The pilot had reported an outside air temperature of minus 47 degrees Celsius, ice accumulating on the aircraft and moderate turbulence that was bouncing the plane by up to 700 feet, according to the air traffic control recordings.
The aircraft had also passed through a stronger storm cell a few minutes before it began its rapid descent. Scattered storms were reported across the area at the time of the crash, although authorities had not established whether weather conditions contributed to the accident.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the jet plunging toward the ground before erupting into a large fireball near a busy roadside. The impact left a crater at the crash site.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene as authorities closed both directions of Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue urged the public to avoid the area, warning that emergency operations would continue for an extended period.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation alongside the FAA. Investigators have not yet determined what caused the aircraft to crash.
The investigation will examine the aircraft's final flight and the circumstances surrounding its rapid descent, including the reported icing, turbulence and storm activity.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
