NTSB find signs of midair breakup in Florida jet crash that killed 9
Investigators have found evidence that a business jet may have begun breaking apart before it crashed onto a road near West Palm Beach, Florida, killing all nine aboard. The crew reported icing and turbulence shortly before declaring an emergency, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
At a briefing Monday, the NTSB described the final minutes of Sunday’s flight, which crashed at about 12:51 p.m. Eastern time on South Military Trail near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County. The Learjet 60 was operated by Aurora Aviation, doing business as Upper Jets.
Seven passengers and two flight crew members were killed. Authorities also learned that a man in a vehicle leaving the area immediately beside the crash site suffered a leg injury.
“We do have some evidence that there was some breakup of the aircraft before impact,” an NTSB official said. Investigators are still determining whether components separated from the jet before it hit the ground.
Debris is scattered across an area approximately half a mile long and four-tenths of a mile wide, including ball fields, businesses and homes. Investigators said the pieces are relatively small and that parts could be found farther from the impact site.
The aircraft departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas at about 10:37 a.m. Eastern time, bound for North Eleuthera in the Bahamas.
At about 12:47 p.m., the crew reported light, clear ice that they described as manageable, along with moderate turbulence. While communicating with the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center, they reported flying at 35,000 feet with altitude deviations of about 700 feet and an outside temperature of minus 53 degrees Fahrenheit.
“We are picking up precipitation, requesting to climb to 37,000 feet if able,” the crew transmitted. Air traffic controllers approved the request.
Less than 30 seconds later, a transmission from the aircraft announced a descent, followed by a mayday call. At about 12:48 p.m., the crew reported an “overspeed condition.” Subsequent transmissions described a rapid descent and included an altitude callout.
Investigators are examining whether icing and turbulence contributed to the crash and whether the aircraft flew through an active thunderstorm.
Dashcam footage captured the jet descending steeply toward South Military Trail near the entrance to a mobile home park and a strip mall parking lot. It disintegrated on impact, leaving a crater in the road.
About 20 NTSB investigators began arriving Sunday evening, with additional staff arriving Monday. The agency asked anyone who finds debris to leave it in place and contact investigators or local authorities.
