Overview
- A Learjet 60 en route from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera crashed onto Military Trail in Palm Beach County on Sunday, November 1, producing a large explosion, a crater in the road and nine deaths.
- Flight‑tracking traces cited by investigators show an abrupt, extreme loss of altitude—roughly 8,200 meters in about a minute—before transmissions stopped and the jet impacted the roadway.
- Audio from air‑traffic control recordings captures the crew reporting ice and turbulence, declaring a mayday and warning “we're going to crash” during a rapid uncontrolled descent.
- NTSB officials say wreckage scattered beyond the impact site suggests parts of the airplane may have broken up in flight and investigators are examining weather, anti‑ice systems and possible structural failure.
- Local authorities evacuated hundreds of residents, set up shelters and secured the scene while families and media have identified most victims, and the NTSB plans public briefings as the federal probe continues.