HighLights
  1. Private Learjet 60 crashed in South Florida, killing nine.
  2. Pilots reported ice, turbulence, and rapid altitude loss.
  3.  The jet initially climbed to a cruising altitude of 41,000 feet after departing Austin.

A series of distress calls, including a desperate "MAYDAY, MAYDAY", has emerged in chilling air traffic control recordings following a private jet crash in South Florida that killed all nine people on board. The aircraft plunged into a residential area on Sunday, triggering a massive explosion and sending thick black smoke into the sky.

Minutes before the crash, the pilot alerted air traffic controllers to ice forming on the aircraft and turbulence causing it to jolt by as much as 700 feet (213 metres).

According to RT, the recordings are from the air traffic control (ATC) communication involving a Learjet 60 that crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, on November 1. The aircraft went down near a roadway, killing everyone on board. However, no deaths or injuries were reported on the ground.

"We have light, clear ice that is manageable and moderate turbulence," the pilot told the controllers.

The aircraft reportedly encountered precipitation which worsened conditions. The pilot requested permission to climb before declaring an emergency as the jet began losing altitude at an alarming rate.

The ATC recording captures the desperate mayday calls, followed by a female crew member's panicked warning, "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, we're descending 10,000 FEET PER MINUTE."

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Another disturbing exchange reportedly heard in the recording, "LOOK OUTSIDE JACK... HOLY FUCK, WE'RE OUT OF TIME."

The jet was travelling from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when it encountered severe weather conditions. According to the available recordings, the pilots reported ice accumulation, turbulence and precipitation before the situation took a dramatic turn.

 

The aircraft lost approximately 27,000 feet in just one minute, with its descent rate reportedly reaching between 10,000 and 20,000 feet per minute.

The crash sent shockwaves through the residential neighbourhood of Greenacres in Palm Beach County. Several videos circulating on social media show the aircraft descending rapidly before crashing near a roadway and bursting into flames.

Footage recorded by dashcams captured the moment of impact, followed by a massive fireball and thick black smoke. Debris was scattered across the crash site, with images showing a crater surrounded by chunks of pavement.

Witnesses were left stunned by how close the aircraft came to nearby homes and passing vehicles. According to Palm Beach County sheriff's officials, the crash occurred in Greenacres, a city of around 45,000 people located approximately seven miles (11 kilometres) southwest of West Palm Beach.

Fox News reported that the aircraft crashed near Cresthaven, Florida, at around 12:50 pm, approximately nine miles from US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence.

What Have US Officials Said?

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the deaths of all nine people aboard the aircraft, describing the incident as a tragedy.

"Today's plane crash in Palm Beach County, Florida is a horrific tragedy," Duffy said in a post on X.

He confirmed that the Learjet had departed from Austin, Texas, and was headed to the Bahamas.

"The FAA is sending a team to the scene to support the NTSB''s investigation," he said, adding that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the US Department of Transportation were monitoring the situation and would provide updates as they became available.

The FAA also confirmed that the aircraft had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and was bound for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.

"The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide all updates," the agency said in a statement.

Meanwhile, emergency crews shut down Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North, Fox News reported. Residents and motorists were urged to stay away from the area.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue described the incident as an extended emergency operation in a post on X, asking the public to avoid the crash site.

What Does Flight Tracking Data Reveal?

According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the Learjet initially climbed to a cruising altitude of 41,000 feet after departing Austin.

The aircraft began descending near Naples, Florida, before briefly climbing again. It subsequently entered a steep right-hand descent at around 5:48 pm UTC.

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation, with the FAA also participating in efforts to establish the circumstances that led to the fatal crash.


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