Florida crash: All nine onboard killed after business jet nosedives; chilling audio captures pilot's Mayday calls
PTC News Desk: A Learjet 60 business jet carrying nine people crashed in a residential area of Greenacres, Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday afternoon. All nine people on board died, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed.
The aircraft, registered as N722BD and operated by LR60271 LLC, had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. It crashed at around 12:50 p.m. local time near Military Trail, close to a mobile-home community.
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 and ADS-B Exchange showed the jet suddenly losing altitude. It had been flying at about 35,000 feet before beginning a rapid descent. The impact created a large crater in the road, scattered debris across the area, damaged at least one mobile home, brought down power lines and sparked fires.
Videos shared online show the jet diving steeply toward the ground before crashing and bursting into a large fireball. Dashcam footage also captured the impact and the fire that followed. Other videos showed burning debris scattered near homes and vehicles, with thick black smoke rising from the crash site.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash. The site is a few miles from Palm Beach International Airport. Authorities have not released the identities of the nine people killed or confirmed what caused the aircraft to crash.
Pilot reported overspeed and rapid descent
According to the report, an air traffic controller acknowledged the emergency and tried to guide the crew. The pilot then reported that the aircraft was overspeeding and descending at 20,000 feet per minute.
The controller told the crew they could choose any altitude and said, “I’m here with you. Talk to me.” The aircraft continued to descend rapidly. In another transmission, the pilot said, “We’re going to crash into the ground, 722 Bravo Delta.” The crew later reported a descent rate of 22,000 feet per minute and a 60-degree bank. The recording captured frantic voices in the cockpit as the situation worsened.
In the final moments, someone was heard shouting, “Look outside… Holy f--k, we’re out of time!” The transmission ended shortly afterwards. The Learjet crashed near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County at about 12:50 p.m. local time on Sunday. It plunged toward a residential neighbourhood and exploded on impact.
Videos recorded from passing vehicles showed the aircraft falling from the sky and bursting into flames. Thick black smoke rose from the site, and the crash left a large crater in a busy roadway.
- PTC NEWS
