Flight data analysis by Flightradar24 put a Learjet 60's descent above 32,000 feet per minute before it crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, where all nine aboard died.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) placed the crash near Cresthaven at about 12:50 p.m. EST (17:50 UTC) Nov. 1. The flight had left Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, the FAA said. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed all nine occupants died.
Flightradar24 said its last received altitude was 8,750 feet at 12:49:22 p.m. EST (17:49:22 UTC). The company said pilots reported light clear ice, moderate turbulence and precipitation in air traffic control audio it reviewed, then requested a climb to 37,000 feet.
At a Nov. 2 briefing, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Board Member Tom Chapman said investigators had “some indication that the aircraft was breaking up before impact.” The NTSB has not identified a cause. EconoTimes previously covered the board's possible-breakup observation.
The NTSB lists the inquiry as ongoing and says its preliminary information may change.
