The emergency unfolded at approximately 12:48 p.m. ET after the pilot reported moderate turbulence, sub-zero temperatures, and ice accumulation on the airframe. Shortly after receiving clearance to climb, the Learjet 60 entered an uncontrolled dive, hurtling toward the ground at descent rates reaching up to 22,000 feet per minute. National Transportation Safety Board officials are actively examining whether the aircraft broke apart before striking a roadway and plan to release a preliminary report within 30 days.
Key points
All nine individuals traveling aboard the chartered Learjet 60 lost their lives during th…: All nine individuals traveling aboard the chartered Learjet 60 lost their lives during the Palm Beach County crash.
National Transportation Safety Board personnel are heavily focusing their crash investiga…: National Transportation Safety Board personnel are heavily focusing their crash investigation on severe weather conditions and in-flight breakup.
Federal authorities expect to formally publish an initial preliminary investigative repor…: Federal authorities expect to formally publish an initial preliminary investigative report on the disaster within 30 days.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
The pilot of the Florida Learjet 60 crash sent out increasingly desperate distress calls moments before the aircraft plunged into a Florida roadway on Sunday, killing all nine people on board. In a chilling final exchange with air traffic controllers, the pilot warned that the aircraft was descending at an extreme speed and cried out, “We’re going to crash into the ground!” CNN reported, citing air traffic control recordings.
The aircraft was travelling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida. Its final radio transmissions captured the crew's desperate attempts to communicate the unfolding emergency.
According to the report, the pilot had reported ice accumulating on the aircraft, an outside air temperature of -47 degrees Celsius and moderate turbulence shortly before the plane began its rapid descent.
‘Mayday, mayday’: Pilot reports emergency
The distress calls began at around 12.48 pm ET, when the aircraft was flying over Palm Beach County.
According to recordings of air traffic control communications captured by LiveATC.net, the pilot initially reported precipitation and requested permission to climb to 37,000 feet.
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