Newly released cockpit audio has captured the terrifying final moments aboard a Learjet 60 before it crashed in Florida on Sunday.
The private jet, carrying nine people, fell from the sky in difficult weather conditions and struck the ground roughly eight miles from Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. The impact triggered a huge fire near West Palm Beach.
In air traffic control recordings, the female pilot can be heard passing crucial updates to a controller only seconds before the aircraft plunged thousands of feet in less than a minute.
Controllers initially referred to moderate turbulence. But the pilot’s voice quickly became increasingly distressed as she realized the jet was in serious trouble.
She said: ‘Seven two two bravo delta, we’re descending 8,000… mayday mayday… we’re descending 10,000 ft per minute.’
Moments later, she cried: ‘Declaring emergency, declaring emergency we are in an overspeed condition,’ before reporting: ‘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 steady the pilot during the unfolding emergency.
Dashcam footage from a passing driver captured the moment the aircraft crashed beside the road and erupted in a massive fireball. The FAA confirmed that nine people were aboard.
The impact left a large crater, with wreckage scattered across the surrounding area. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office told the Daily Mail it was responding to a ‘mass casualty aircraft-related incident.’
Authorities have confirmed that all nine people aboard the aircraft died.
Onlookers gathered near the crash site, silently surveying the trail of destruction.
Children at the scene appeared stunned, holding hands as they looked over the wreckage with expressions of disbelief.
‘We are descending 22,000 ft, and we are banking 60 degrees.’ The statement indicates the aircraft’s wings were tilted at a 60-degree angle, leaving the jet almost on its side.
‘We’re out of time,’ she screamed.
The Daily Mail has decided not to release the final seconds of the recording because the audio is extremely distressing.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that everyone aboard the aircraft was killed.
The $2 million Learjet 60 came down on a scorched roadside in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, according to the FAA.
A deep crater was visible at the crash site, surrounded by a broad area covered in debris.
The twin-engine business jet plunged near South Military Trail and Marilyn Drive at approximately 12.50pm. The identities of those on board have not been disclosed.
Conditions around West Palm Beach on Sunday afternoon were challenging, with overcast skies, rain and lightning. Easterly winds were recorded at 15 mph, with gusts approaching 25 mph, while the National Weather Service in Miami reported visibility of seven miles.
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The flight had set off from Austin, Texas, bound for North Eleuthera in the Bahamas before its path abruptly ended just near West Palm Beach, according to flight data.
President Donald Trump had been at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday night hosting a Halloween party, but it’s understood he had already departed for Iowa by the time the explosion occurred.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office told the Daily Mail they are dealing with a ‘mass casualty aircraft-related incident’ but did not provide further details.
Haunting dash camera footage showed the jet sharply crashing to the ground and causing the massive explosion.
The Learjet 60, a twin-engine business jet, nosedived near South Military Trail and Marilyn Drive around 12.50pm
The FAA confirmed that a $2 million Learjet 60 plummeted from the air, falling 32,000ft in a minute, causing a roaring amber blaze and plumes of smoke to billow from the scorched roadside in Greenacres, Palm Beach County
The weather conditions were cited as poor earlier today and speculation on social media has surged, questioning if the stormy conditions could have hindered the plane’s ability to function
Multiple local reports online suggested that there was a large boom before the ground started trembling and the fire erupted.
One individual described being ‘lifted from the ground’ while another said that the impact was so loud that it sounded like a missile.
The crash, just eight miles from the President’s lavish estate, was so mighty it managed to topple down power lines.
All northbound and southbound lanes of Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North have been closed 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.
Rubble could be seen being flung across the street as as smoke engulfed the area
The crash happened just eight miles from Mar-a-Lago (pictured) and the Trump golf course
Trump carries an umbrella as he boards Air Force One before departing for Dubuque, Iowa. He took off some time before the private jet crashed in 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 be in charge of the investigation and will provide all updates.’
Trump was in Palm Beach at his resort overnight, celebrating the holiday by hosting hundreds of friends at a jungle-themed Halloween party.
The President made an appearance, 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.’
Today, he made his way to Iowa for the final leg of his midterm campaign.