UNITED STATES – The final moments of a business jet was captured on camera before dropping rapidly out of the sky, and slamming nose-first into a roadway, erupting into a massive fireball.
The crash happened around 12:50 Sunday afternoon near Military Trail in the Greenacres area of Palm Beach County.
The impact left a large crater in the road, with burning wreckage and debris scattered across the surrounding area.
In a press conference Monday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that all nine people aboard the aircraft were killed.
Sean Duffy – Secretary, U.S. Transportation
“The aircraft departed Austin Bergstrom International Airport en route to North Eleuthera, Bahamas with nine people on board, all aboard were lost. On behalf of all of us at NTSB I want to express our profound condolences to the family and friends of those who were lost in this tragedy. We are truly truly sorry for your loss.”
The radio communications between the pilot and air traffic control paint a disturbing picture of what may have been unfolding inside the cockpit.
The pilot reported ice accumulating on the aircraft, along with moderate turbulence.
Then came reports of a rapid descent as the crew declared an emergency.
In the final moments, the pilot is heard saying “We’re going to crash into the ground.”
The last transmission was “We’re out of time.”
Among those killed was 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Filgueiras.
Her mother confirmed her identity, saying her daughter earned her pilot’s licence at just 17 years old, and had already logged more than 1,300 flight hours.
Authorities have not officially confirmed the identification of the other victims, but online sources say they were 44-year-old Austin tech entrepreneur Adam Robinson, his wife Helen, their two kids, a nanny and two close friends.
Now, investigators are examining whether the aircraft may have started breaking apart before it even hit the ground.
National Transportation Safety Board Investigator Tom Chapman says the physical evidence is providing important clues about the jet’s final moments.
Tom Chapman – Investigator, National Transportation Safety Board
“I’m getting conflicting information. It’s 1/2 mile x 4/10 of a mile, but it’s scattered among ballfields, businesses, personal residences, and debris is rather small.”
