02.11.2026 06:40
The pilot's last words have emerged in the private jet disaster that killed 9 people in the US state of Florida. It was determined that after the plane rapidly lost altitude, the pilot asked for help, saying, 'We are descending 20,000 feet per minute. We are going to crash.' A giant crater formed where the plane, which fell like a missile into a residential area, hit, and the asphalt was shattered. About 600 people were evacuated after the disaster, which the Governor of Florida described with the words, 'It was as if a missile was falling.'
New details have emerged about the private jet crash in Palm Beach County, Florida, that killed 9 people. The Learjet 60 private aircraft, which took off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas bound for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, crashed into the Cresthaven residential area at around 12:50 local time. A large explosion occurred after the plane hit the ground, and the wreckage was engulfed in flames. Images that emerged after the crash showed that a large crater had formed at the impact point and the road had been torn apart.
PILOT'S LAST WORDS REVEALED: "WE ARE GOING TO CRASH"
Air traffic control recordings examined after the crash revealed the final moments on the plane. Communicating with Miami Air Traffic Control Center, the pilot reported light and controllable clear icing on the aircraft and moderate turbulence.
After precipitation began in the area, the pilot requested permission to climb to a higher altitude, but shortly afterward declared an emergency because the plane was rapidly losing altitude.
In the pilot's radio communication, he was heard saying, "We are descending 8,000 feet per minute. Mayday, mayday! We are descending 10,000 feet per minute."
In the final moments when control of the plane was completely lost, the pilot's words, "We are in an overspeed condition, descending 20,000 feet per minute. We are going to crash," were recorded.
A GIANT CRATER FORMED WHERE THE PLANE CRASHED
A large crater formed in the ground after the private jet crashed near Military Trail, just next to the residential area. Images recorded after the crash showed the asphalt torn apart over a wide area, part of the road collapsed, and a deep pit formed from the impact.
With the force of the explosion, plane parts were scattered over a wide area, fires broke out nearby, and power lines were damaged. Wreckage fragments were seen reaching close to homes.
The explosion after the plane hit the ground and the giant crater that formed demonstrated the devastating impact of the crash.
FLORIDA GOVERNOR: "IT WAS AS IF A MISSILE WAS FALLING"
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, describing what happened in a statement at the crash site, said, "This was a catastrophic plane crash. It was as if a missile was falling. It left a large crater by the roadside."
DeSantis announced that in the initial assessments after the crash, no reports had been received that anyone on the ground was dead or injured.
ALL 9 PEOPLE ON BOARD LOST THEIR LIVES
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed in a statement after the crash that all 9 people on board the Learjet 60 private aircraft had lost their lives.
Duffy described the crash as "a terrible tragedy" and reported that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had sent a team to the area to support the investigation.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the 9 people who died or how many were crew members and how many were passengers.
AROUND 600 PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED
After the plane crashed into the residential area, a large-scale evacuation operation was launched due to damage to nearby homes and infrastructure.
Palm Beach County District 3 Commissioner Joel Flores announced that around 600 people needed a safe shelter where they could spend the night.
Flores reported that residents were directed to temporary accommodation centers and that the American Red Cross was standing by to provide support to those in need.
It was stated that efforts were continuing to place evacuated people in safe areas.
THERE WERE SEVERE STORM AND ICING WARNINGS BEFORE THE CRASH
At the time of the crash, it was determined that thunderstorms with heavy rain and strong storm cells were affecting southern Florida.
It was recorded that the plane passed through a stronger storm cell a few minutes before its sudden loss of altitude.
In the area where the flight took place, there was a convective SIGMET warning issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration for aviation activities.
SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) refers to warnings about significant meteorological events, such as severe thunderstorms, that may threaten flight safety.
Although the pilot reported icing, precipitation, and turbulence, it has not yet been definitively established whether bad weather conditions directly caused the crash.
Authorities are expected to evaluate the technical condition of the plane and the effect of weather conditions on the flight as part of the investigation.
TRUMP HAD LEFT THE AREA ONE HOUR BEFORE THE CRASH
It was reported that the crash site was located about 6.4 kilometers south of the airport in West Palm Beach.
It was learned that US President Donald Trump was in West Palm Beach early on Sunday, but left the area aboard the presidential aircraft Air Force One about an hour before the crash.
No official information was shared indicating any connection between Trump's flight and the crash.
THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH IS BEING INVESTIGATED
A federal investigation led by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was launched to determine the cause of the crash.
NTSB investigators are planned to examine the scene on Sunday and Monday, and a press conference on the initial findings of the investigation is planned for Monday.
As part of the investigation, the technical condition of the plane, the pilot's communications with the air traffic control center, and adverse weather conditions in the area are expected to be evaluated.
It was stated that the exact cause of the crash would become clear after the technical examinations are completed.