Florida Jet Crash: NTSB Says Part of the Tail Came Off Before Impact
Investigators found most of the Learjet's left elevator miles from the Greenacres crash site, where all nine people aboard were killed.
Federal investigators say a key part of the tail of a business jet that crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, separated from the aircraft before it hit the ground, killing all nine people on board.
What happened
The Learjet 60 was flying on Sunday, November 1, from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas, according to the Associated Press and the BBC. It crashed at about 12:50 p.m. near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North in Greenacres.
The aircraft was operated by Aurora Aviation, which does business as Upper Jet, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
The final minutes
The NTSB said the crew reported moderate turbulence and icing at about 35,000 feet and asked to climb to 37,000 feet. The crew later reported that the plane was descending, declared an emergency and reported an overspeed condition.
The tail section
At a briefing, NTSB board member Tom Chapman said investigators had found most of the jet’s left elevator, a movable surface on the tail that controls pitch, in three pieces between 1.3 and 3.8 miles from the main wreckage. That indicates the part separated before impact.
Chapman cautioned that investigators do not yet know why it came off, or whether its separation caused the crash or resulted from other forces during the descent.
What investigators are examining
The NTSB said it is looking at weather, the aircraft’s maintenance history and the crew’s actions. Investigators have received dashcam video and footage from witnesses on the ground, and they are collecting radar and air traffic control data.
The AP reported that a final determination of the cause will likely take more than a year, which is typical for NTSB investigations.
On the ground
The crash happened in a populated area of central Palm Beach County. Local officials have not reported any deaths on the ground. The victims’ identities were being released by authorities as families were notified.
What comes next
The NTSB typically issues a preliminary report within about 30 days of a crash. That report lays out basic facts but does not assign a cause. The wreckage, including the recovered tail pieces, will be examined at a secure facility.
How we reported this
This report is based on information confirmed by the Associated Press or by at least two major news organizations, as noted in the text. Claims that have not been independently verified are identified as such. BURN VOC will update this story as new information is released.
