Distressing final cockpit audio as female pilot screams in terror before private jet crashes in Palm Beach killing all nine on board
A Learjet 60 crashed near West Palm Beach, Florida, killing all nine people aboard. Newly released cockpit audio captures the pilot reporting a rapid descent and declaring an emergency shortly before impact; the crash has prompted attention to what caused the aircraft to lose control.
The twin-engine jet was travelling from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when it crashed near South Military Trail and Marilyn Drive at about 12.50 pm on Sunday. Flight data indicated it fell around 32,000 feet in a minute. Weather was overcast, with rain, lightning and gusty winds, but officials have not established the cause of the crash or identified those aboard.
In short
- Nine people died when a Learjet crashed in Palm Beach County.
- Cockpit audio records the pilot reporting an emergency descent.
- Investigators have not established the cause of the crash.
Explained simply
The Learjet 60 is a private business aircraft designed to carry passengers on regional and longer trips. The aircraft was flying from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when it crashed in Florida; all nine people on board died.
Investigators examine flight records, the aircraft and weather conditions to determine why a plane crashed. Rain, lightning and gusty winds were reported in the area, but officials have not established whether weather or another factor caused this crash.