By Salma El-Sakka
Investigators have launched a probe into the crash of a Learjet 60 in Florida that killed all nine people on board, with debris scattered up to 3.8 miles from the impact crater.
Crash Details and Initial Findings
The business jet, en route to the Bahamas, plunged into the ground on Sunday, November 1, at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time after encountering a thunderstorm. The impact created a large crater and shattered the aircraft, with parts of the tail's elevator found more than a mile from the main wreckage, suggesting the plane began breaking apart before hitting the ground.
Search for Cockpit Voice Recorder
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Tom Chapman said the cockpit voice recorder could provide critical details about the pilots' actions as they lost control amid turbulence and wing icing. The co-pilot had reported being thrown up and down more than 213 meters while requesting a better route through the storm.
Weather Complicates Recovery
Torrential rains in recent weeks have filled the crater with water, submerging some wreckage and forcing the removal of a utility pole. The weather will be a key early focus, with the NTSB coordinating with the National Weather Service and Federal Aviation Administration to reconstruct conditions at 35,000 feet.
Investigation Timeline
A preliminary report is expected within a month, but the full investigation typically takes 12 to 18 months. Investigators will review maintenance records, interview personnel from the operator Upper Jets and air traffic controllers, and examine whether the pilots were aware of the storm's severity.
