Newly released cockpit audio has captured the terrifying final moments aboard a Learjet 60 before it crashed in Florida on Sunday.
The private jet was carrying nine people when it fell from the sky in difficult weather, crashing just eight miles from Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. The impact near West Palm Beach triggered a huge fireball.
Air traffic control recordings show the female pilot providing crucial updates only seconds before the aircraft plunged thousands of feet in less than a minute.
Controllers had warned of moderate turbulence, but the pilot’s voice quickly turned frantic as she appeared to realize the jet was in serious trouble.
She can be heard saying: ‘Seven two two bravo delta, we’re descending 8,000… mayday mayday… we’re descending 10,000 ft per minute.’
Moments later, she declared: ‘Declaring emergency, declaring emergency, we are in an overspeed condition.’ Her voice then broke as she cried: ‘Descending 20,000 ft per minute… we’re going to crash into the ground.’
‘I’m here with you, talk to me,’ the air traffic controller responded, attempting to keep the pilot calm.
Dashcam footage shows the jet crashing near the roadway before erupting into a huge fireball. The FAA said nine people were aboard
A large crater was left at the impact site, with debris scattered across the surrounding area. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office described it to Our News Outlet as a ‘mass casualty aircraft-related incident’
Authorities confirmed that all nine people aboard the aircraft were killed
Onlookers gathered at the scene as they surveyed the extensive destruction
Children at the scene appeared stunned, holding hands as they looked across the wreckage
‘We are descending 22,000 ft, and we are banking 60 degrees.’ The statement indicates that the aircraft’s wings were tilted at a severe angle, leaving the jet almost on its side.
‘We’re out of time,’ the pilot screamed.
Our News Outlet has decided not to broadcast the final seconds of the recording because they are particularly distressing.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that everyone aboard the aircraft died.
The $2 million Learjet 60 crashed onto a scorched roadside in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The impact left a huge crater surrounded by a broad area of scattered aircraft debris.
The twin-engine business jet went down near South Military Trail and Marilyn Drive at approximately 12.50pm. Officials have not yet identified those who were on board.
Flight data showed that the aircraft had departed from Austin, Texas, and was flying toward North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when its journey suddenly ended near West Palm Beach.
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President Donald Trump had hosted a Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday night, but he is understood to have left for Iowa before the crash occurred.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said it was responding to a ‘mass casualty aircraft-related incident’ but did not immediately release additional information.
Disturbing dashcam video captured the moment the jet plunged toward the ground and exploded on impact.
The Learjet 60, a twin-engine business aircraft, crashed near South Military Trail and Marilyn Drive at about 12.50pm
The FAA said the $2 million Learjet 60 dropped 32,000 feet in a minute, producing a bright orange fire and thick smoke along the roadside in Greenacres, Palm Beach County
Poor weather had been reported in the area, prompting online speculation about whether storm conditions affected the aircraft
Several local accounts reported hearing a powerful boom before the ground began to shake and flames rose into the air.
One person said they were ‘lifted from the ground,’ while another compared the sound of the impact to a missile strike.
The force of the crash, which occurred only eight miles from the President’s estate, was strong enough to bring down power lines.
Military Trail has been closed in both directions between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North, with the road expected to remain shut until further notice.
The FAA said: ‘A Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area near Cresthaven, Florida, around 12.50 pm local time on Sunday, November 1. Nine people were on board.’
Debris was thrown across the street as smoke spread through the area
The crash site was about eight miles from Mar-a-Lago, pictured here with the Trump golf course
Trump carries an umbrella while boarding Air Force One for Dubuque, Iowa. He had departed before the private jet crashed near West Palm Beach
‘The aircraft departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.’
‘The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide all updates.’
Trump had spent the night at his Palm Beach resort, where he marked Halloween by hosting hundreds of guests at a jungle-themed celebration.
The President appeared at the event dressed as himself. ‘I’ve spent nine hours getting ready,’ he joked. ‘I had ten minutes, so I came as Donald Trump tonight! Hello everybody.’
He later traveled to Iowa for the final stop on his midterm campaign schedule.
