On 1 November, a private Learjet 60 jet, which was en route from Texas to the Bahamas, crashed in the state of Florida. The aircraft lost altitude rapidly and crashed near a residential area in Palm Beach County, causing a massive explosion. All nine people on board were killed. Before the crash, the crew had reported to air traffic controllers that the aircraft was experiencing icing, turbulence and an uncontrolled descent.
- A private Learjet 60 jet crashed in Florida on 1 November.
- All nine people on board were killed, US transport authorities have confirmed.
- Before the crash, the pilot reported icing, turbulence and a rapid descent.
- The crew’s last recorded words were «We’ve run out of time».
- The authorities evacuated around 600 people from the area near the crash site.
The plane crashed near some residential buildings
How to. reports According to Reuters, citing the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crash occurred on Sunday at around 12.50 pm local time near Greenacres, Florida.
A private Learjet 60 took off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.
Footage taken by eyewitnesses shows the aeroplane crashing at high speed near a motorway, followed by an explosion. A large crater formed at the point of impact, and debris from the aircraft was scattered all around.
Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis, who arrived at the crash site, compared the plane’s crash to a missile strike.
According to the governor, the video footage shows the force of the explosion and the extent of the damage. However, it was previously reported that there were no fatalities or injuries amongst those on the ground.
US Secretary of Transport Sean Duffy confirmed the deaths of all nine people on board the aircraft.
«We’ve run out of time»: the final seconds before the disaster
The investigators’ attention was particularly drawn to the crew’s communications with air traffic controllers, which were successfully reconstructed using radio recordings.
Shortly before the crash, the pilot reported to the Miami control centre that the aircraft was icing over and experiencing moderate turbulence. The crew attempted to find more favourable flying conditions.
Shortly afterwards, the situation took a drastic turn for the worse. The pilot issued a Mayday distress call and reported that the aircraft was losing altitude at a rate of approximately 10,000 feet per minute.
A few seconds later, the rate of descent increased to 20,000 feet per minute. The crew declared an emergency.
Following this, the air traffic controller received a report that the aircraft was about to crash. The pilot also reported that the aircraft was banking and that its rate of descent was increasing.
The last words recorded on the tape, approximately 35 seconds after the first Mayday call, were: «We’ve run out of time».
According to Flightradar24, at one point the aircraft’s vertical rate of descent exceeded 32,000 feet per minute — almost 10 kilometres per minute.
Following the plane crash, around 600 people were evacuated
The accident took place near a housing estate of mobile homes and a busy road.
Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores reported that a large crater had formed at the crash site. Due to the danger and the need to carry out investigations, the authorities organised the evacuation of around 600 residents from the surrounding area. People were temporarily accommodated in two specially prepared county shelters.
The police closed the section of Military Trail near the scene of the accident. Firefighters, police and emergency services were at the scene.
The causes of the Learjet 60 crash are being investigated
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a formal investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration has also joined the investigation.
According to the AccuWeather meteorological service, heavy rain and thunderstorms were reported in the area at the time of the crash. Records of the radio communications confirm that the crew reported icing and turbulence; however, the official cause of the loss of control has not yet been established.
The Learjet 60 was manufactured by the Canadian company Bombardier. According to FAA registration records, the aircraft belonged to a corporation registered in the state of Delaware.
Bombardier has stated that it is prepared to cooperate with the investigators and provide the necessary assistance with the investigation.
NTSB experts are to examine the aircraft wreckage, radio communications records, meteorological conditions and information regarding the technical condition of the aircraft.
