Florida private jet crash kills nine after pilot sends distress calls
The pilot reported an extreme descent rate and icing conditions before the Learjet 60 crashed into a roadway on Sunday.
A Learjet 60 private jet crashed into a roadway in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday, killing all nine people on board, according to the Times of India.
The aircraft was travelling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when the accident occurred.
Air traffic control recordings reported by CNN show the pilot, Filgueiras, issued several distress calls starting at approximately 12.48 pm ET.
The pilot initially reported precipitation and requested to climb to 37,000 feet, but soon declared a 'Mayday, mayday' as the plane began a rapid descent.
Filgueiras informed the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center that the aircraft was descending at 10,000 feet per minute, later stating it was in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute.
The pilot's final transmission at 12.49.17 pm was, “We’re out of time.”
Before the emergency, the pilot reported moderate turbulence and an outside air temperature of -47 degrees Celsius, noting light, clear ice on the aircraft.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said weather conditions are a major focus of its investigation and is examining evidence that the aircraft may have broken apart before impact.
The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report within 30 days.