Learjet crashes in South Florida, killing nine; tail damage found
A Learjet carrying a tech entrepreneur, his family and crew crashed near West Palm Beach, killing all nine aboard.
The jet went down Sunday afternoon in Greenacres, southwest of West Palm Beach. The co-pilot reported ice accumulating on the wings and severe turbulence.
The turbulence threw the plane up and down by more than 700 feet. In her final radio transmission, co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras said "We're going to die!"
before impact. Investigators found tail parts more than two kilometres from the crash site.
This confirms the plane broke apart before hitting ground. The elevator that controls the aircraft's pitch was broken into three pieces.
It was missing from the tail section. Passengers included tech entrepreneur Adam Robinson, his wife Helen Sharp, their two young children Emma and Charlie, and others.
About 600 nearby residents were evacuated but only one injury was reported on the ground.
- 9
- Deaths
- 2+ kilometres away
- Tail parts found
- 3
- Elevator pieces
- 1300+ hours
- Co-pilot experience
Why it mattersThe evidence of mid-air structural failure shifts focus from weather alone to what caused the plane to come apart.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect; however Australian media is following the investigation as it unfolds.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au·7news.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
