The aircraft was operating a private flight from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS/KAUS) in Texas to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH/MYEH) in the Bahamas when disaster struck. Flight-tracking information indicates that the aircraft was cruising at high altitude before encountering increasingly difficult conditions over Florida.
Communications between the flight crew and air traffic control provide a disturbing account of the aircraft's final minutes.
The pilot initially reported icing conditions and moderate turbulence, describing the ice as manageable. The crew also advised controllers that they were encountering precipitation and requested a climb from their assigned altitude of 35,000 feet to 37,000 feet in an attempt to find smoother conditions.
However, shortly after the climb was approved, the situation deteriorated dramatically. The pilot reported that the aircraft was descending at approximately 10,000 feet per minute. Moments later, the descent rate had reportedly increased to 20,000 feet per minute, with the aircraft also experiencing an overspeed condition.
A mayday call was transmitted as the crew desperately attempted to communicate the seriousness of their situation. In one of the most distressing moments captured in the air traffic control recordings, the pilot reportedly told controllers: "We're going to crash into the ground."
The final transmission from the cockpit was reportedly: "We're out of time."
Air traffic controllers subsequently attempted to re-establish communications, but there was no response. Flight-tracking information from Flightradar24 indicates that the Learjet entered a steep descending right turn, with its vertical descent rate reportedly exceeding 32,000 feet per minute. The last altitude data received by Flightradar24 showed the aircraft at approximately 8,750 feet before tracking was lost.
The aircraft struck the ground near Military Trail, close to Cresthaven Boulevard, in a residential area of Palm Beach County. Dashcam footage captured the horrifying final moments, showing the aircraft descending at an extremely steep angle before impacting the ground and exploding into a massive fireball.
Aircraft Information:
Owner / Operator: LR60271 LLC
Aircraft: Learjet 60
Registration: N722BD
Serial Number: 60-271
Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW305A
First Flew: January 2004
Age: 22.9 Years
Our thoughts are with the families, friends and loved ones of all nine people who lost their lives in this tragic accident.
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