Disturbing air traffic control recordings have revealed the final moments of a private jet before it crashed into a residential neighbourhood in Palm Beach County, Florida, killing all nine people aboard.
The Learjet 60 was travelling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas, carrying nine passengers and crew when it reportedly encountered severe turbulence, heavy precipitation and ice accumulation. The aircraft then suddenly entered a steep and uncontrolled descent.
In urgent radio transmissions, the pilot declared an emergency and reported a descent rate of up to 22,000 feet per minute. As the situation rapidly deteriorated, the pilot issued a chilling warning that the aircraft was going to crash into the ground.
Moments later, the jet plunged into the ground and erupted into a massive fireball. All nine people aboard were killed in the devastating crash.
Authorities evacuated around 600 nearby residents as emergency crews rushed to the scene and assessed potential risks to the surrounding neighbourhood.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the disaster. Investigators are examining the aircraft, weather conditions and flight recordings to determine what caused the jet to lose control and descend so rapidly.
