An audio recording from a Miami air traffic control center, published on the LiveATC website, captured the final moments of a plane crash that occurred this Sunday in southern Florida. The incident resulted in the deaths of all nine individuals on board. Initially, a person in the cockpit informed an air traffic controller that they were dealing with ice and experiencing moderate turbulence while seeking more stable flight conditions.
Less than a minute later, the individual declared "Mayday, Mayday," reporting that the aircraft was descending suddenly at a rate of 10,000 feet per minute. Seconds after this declaration, an emergency was announced as the descent speed increased to 20,000 feet per minute. Within less than 20 seconds, the person stated that the plane "is going to hit the ground." Subsequently, they reported the descent speed had reached 22,000 feet per minute while the aircraft began to tilt laterally. Approximately 35 seconds after the initial distress call, the last phrase heard in the cockpit was said rapidly: "We have no time."
According to authorities and reports from CNN, a Learjet bound for the Bahamas crashed and exploded in Palm Beach County on Sunday afternoon. This event marks the second deadliest aviation accident recorded in the United States this year, following a skydiving plane crash in Butler, Missouri, in June that claimed 12 lives. Authorities have not yet identified the nine victims or specified how many were passengers versus crew members.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis commented on the severity of the event, stating it "looked like a missile falling." While there are no reports of fatalities on the ground, the crash left a large area of debris. Approximately 600 people require shelter because the accident site blocked access to a mobile home community, preventing residents from remaining in their homes. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the deaths and described the incident as a "horrific tragedy."
The Federal Aviation Administration stated it will investigate the crash alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigators are expected to arrive at the scene on Sunday and Monday, with a press conference scheduled for Monday.
Sources: CNN Brasil.