‘We’re Going to Crash’: Pilot’s Final Mayday Call Before Florida Jet Crash Kills All Onboard
A private jet crashed and burst into flames in South Florida, killing everyone aboard after the pilot made desperate emergency calls.
The Bahamas-bound aircraft struck the ground near a busy roadway in Palm Beach County on Sunday, narrowly missing nearby residential buildings.
Shocking footage captured the aircraft falling rapidly from the sky before exploding into a massive fireball upon impact.
The explosion sent thick black smoke into the air, while burning debris scattered around a crater at the crash site.
Witnesses expressed disbelief that the aircraft came down just feet from nearby homes and dangerously close to passing vehicles.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the accident in a statement shared on X.
Duffy said the Learjet 60 crashed at approximately 12:50 p.m. in Palm Beach County, describing the incident as a “horrific tragedy”.
He added that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would send investigators to assist the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The NTSB is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the fatal Florida aircraft accident.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis initially reported that there were no immediate indications of casualties or injuries among people on the ground.
Describing the impact, DeSantis called it a “cataclysmic plane crash” and compared the aircraft’s descent to a missile.
The jet had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was travelling to the Bahamas when disaster struck.
Airport spokesperson Jim Reynolds confirmed that the aircraft was privately operated but provided no information about its passengers.
Records from the FAA identified a Delaware corporation as the registered owner of the Bombardier-manufactured Learjet 60.
Flight data showed that the aircraft was cruising at approximately 35,000 feet when the crew encountered challenging weather conditions.
The pilots reportedly experienced turbulence, ice accumulation and precipitation before requesting clearance to climb another 2,000 feet.
However, the aircraft suddenly began losing altitude at an alarming rate, entering an increasingly steep descent.
Air traffic control recordings and flight-tracking information showed its descent accelerating from 10,000 to 20,000 feet per minute.
The aircraft eventually reached a descent rate exceeding 30,000 feet per minute, according to available flight data.
Before impact, one of the pilots declared an emergency and repeatedly communicated the aircraft’s deteriorating condition to air traffic controllers.
Earlier transmissions revealed that the crew had reported moderate turbulence and accumulating ice on the aircraft.
“We have light, clear ice that is manageable and moderate turbulence,” the pilot initially told controllers.
The situation subsequently worsened as the aircraft encountered precipitation and continued losing altitude.
The pilot transmitted an urgent distress call, reporting a descent of approximately 10,000 feet per minute.
“We’re descending 8,000 – mayday, mayday – we’re descending 10,000 feet per minute,” the pilot said.
Another transmission indicated that the aircraft had entered an overspeed condition while descending at approximately 20,000 feet per minute.
The pilot’s final communication contained a chilling warning about the impending impact.
“We’re going to crash into the ground,” the pilot said.
Flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft’s vertical descent rate exceeded 32,000 feet per minute at one point.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall had affected the region, with the National Weather Service issuing a flood watch through Monday afternoon.
The aircraft crashed near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North, forcing authorities to close roads in both directions.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office advised motorists to avoid the area as emergency personnel responded.
Authorities also began evacuating approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community.
A woman working close to the crash site reported that electricity had been unavailable in the area for approximately two hours.
Although everyone aboard died, authorities reported no immediate casualties among people outside the aircraft.
Investigators are expected to examine flight recordings, weather conditions, aircraft systems and other evidence to determine what caused the deadly Florida plane crash.
