NTSB to Update on Learjet Crash That Killed 9 After Jet Entered 48,300-Foot Storm
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 2
NTSB to Update on Learjet Crash That Killed 9 After Jet Entered 48,300-Foot Storm
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 2
Summary
NTSB investigators are due to brief Monday on a Learjet 60 crash near a South Florida mobile home park that killed all nine people aboard and injured no one on the ground.
Archived radio traffic shows the crew reported rain, ice and moderate turbulence, then declared Mayday minutes after controllers allowed weather deviations and the jet entered a rapidly growing storm at 35,000 feet.
Radar data cited in the report showed the nearby thunderstorm grew from about 33,000 feet to 48,300 feet in roughly 20 minutes, creating conditions that can trigger severe turbulence and rapid icing.
Former FAA and NTSB investigator Jeff Guzzetti said the crash bears signs of a weather-induced upset, with strong updrafts and downdrafts potentially knocking the plane out of its normal flight path.
The Austin-to-Bahamas flight crashed at about 12:50 p.m., forcing evacuations of roughly 600 mobile home park residents and leaving some power restoration delayed while investigators secure the site.