All nine people on board a private Learjet 60 were killed on Sunday after the aircraft crashed into a South Florida neighbourhood and erupted in a huge fireball.
Dramatic videos recorded by motorists showed the Bahamas-bound business jet falling rapidly from the sky before crashing near a roadway in Palm Beach County, Florida. The impact triggered a massive explosion and fire, while nearby homes and motorists narrowly escaped being hit.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the incident as a “horrific tragedy,” confirming that the crash occurred at about 12:50 pm on Sunday. He said the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, would support the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, in investigating the cause of the disaster.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries among people on the ground despite the severity of the crash.
“It was a cataclysmic plane crash,” DeSantis said, adding that the aircraft appeared to have crashed with tremendous force, leaving a large crater beside the road.
The Bombardier-made Learjet 60 had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to the Bahamas, according to the FAA. Airport spokesperson Jim Reynolds confirmed that the aircraft was privately operated but did not disclose the identities of those on board.
FAA records reportedly list the aircraft’s owner as a corporation registered in Delaware.
Details from air traffic control recordings and flight tracking data indicated that the flight encountered serious difficulties while cruising at about 35,000 feet.
The pilots reportedly informed controllers that the aircraft was experiencing turbulence, icing and precipitation and requested permission to climb an additional 2,000 feet.
Shortly afterwards, the situation deteriorated rapidly as the jet entered a steep descent.
The aircraft’s descent rate reportedly increased from about 10,000 feet per minute to 20,000 feet per minute and later reached around 30,000 feet per minute, pushing the aircraft beyond its normal design limits.
Minutes before the crash, the pilot had reported ice accumulation on the aircraft and moderate turbulence, with the jet reportedly being jolted significantly by the weather conditions.
The pilot initially told air traffic controllers that the icing was manageable, but soon declared an emergency as the aircraft began losing altitude at a frightening speed.
In one of the final emergency transmissions, the pilot warned controllers that the jet was descending at about 10,000 feet per minute before later reporting an overspeed condition and a descent of approximately 20,000 feet per minute.
Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 said the aircraft’s vertical descent rate at one point exceeded 32,000 feet per minute before it crashed.
The tragedy occurred as heavy rainfall affected parts of the region. The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch for excessive rainfall, which was expected to remain in effect through Monday afternoon.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, weather conditions, reported icing and turbulence, as well as other factors that may have contributed to the deadly Palm Beach County plane crash. The FAA and NTSB have commenced efforts to determine the exact cause of the disaster.
Watch the video below:
https://x.com/thenaijamedia/status/2117180562557313355?a=QJKlJOAMetSC5cQwZA4&s=19
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