By Salma El-Sakka
Investigators are examining why a Learjet 60 broke apart over Florida last weekend, killing all nine people on board, with a missing cockpit voice recorder seen as a crucial piece of evidence.
Debris Suggests Mid-Air Breakup
The National Transportation Safety Board said on Tuesday that sections of the jet's tail elevator, which controls the nose angle, were found more than a mile from the main crash site. The discovery indicates the aircraft began to disintegrate before hitting the ground on Sunday, November 1, at about 12:50 p.m. local time. The business jet, operated by Upper Jets and bound for the Bahamas, slammed into the earth with enough force to create a crater and scatter wreckage up to 3.8 miles away.
Search for Cockpit Voice Recorder Continues
NTSB member Tom Chapman said the cockpit voice recorder could provide “very important data” about the pilots' actions as they encountered turbulence and ice buildup on the wings. The co-pilot had told air traffic controllers the plane was being thrown up and down more than 213 metres while requesting a better route. Chapman noted the investigation would not be doomed if the recorder is not found, but its recovery would significantly aid the probe.
Weather and Radar Data Under Scrutiny
Torrential rains in Florida have complicated the search, filling the crater with water and submerging some debris. Investigators are working with the National Weather Service and the Federal Aviation Administration to reconstruct what the aircraft encountered at 35,000 feet. A key question is whether the pilots were aware of the storm's severity and what the plane's weather radar displayed.
Lengthy Investigation Ahead
The NTSB expects to issue a preliminary report within a month, though a full investigation typically takes 12 to 18 months. Maintenance records will be reviewed, and officials from Upper Jets, air traffic controllers, and personnel at the Texas departure airport will be interviewed. Final reports will detail probable causes and safety recommendations to prevent similar accidents.
