The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
'Mayday, we're going to crash!': Final moments of Florida plane crash that killed 9 revealed
A 20-year-old co-pilot who dreamed of flying since childhood, young family of 4 were among 9 killed when private jet crashed in Florida; chilling radio recordings capture crew's desperate calls for help, while investigators say plane may have begun breaking apart in midair
A private Learjet 60 crashed in South Florida on a Sunday near Greenacres in Palm Beach County, killing all nine people aboard. Among the victims was Natalia Gedalia Filgueiras, a 20-year-old co-pilot who had pursued aviation since childhood.
New audio from the cockpit chronicles a rapid loss of altitude, with Filgueiras reporting turbulence and ice, followed by a stark warning: "We're going to crash" and "Mayday, mayday, we're losing altitude." The final distress calls include references to altitude loss at increasingly extreme rates before the aircraft descended severely.
Investigators disclosed that evidence suggests parts of the aircraft may have separated from the plane before impact, hinting at a possible midair breakup. They are examining whether ice accumulation, turbulence, and high speed contributed to a loss of control and any structural failure.
The crash occurred roughly 10 minutes after Filgueiras had sent a message describing icing conditions. The flight had departed from Austin, Texas, and was headed toward the Bahamas when the events unfolded, culminating in an enormous fireball and widespread debris.
Rescue and law-enforcement efforts occurred in a densely populated area, with roads closed and homes damaged. Officials indicated the investigation could take considerable time as they review wreckage, flight data, and radio communications to determine the cause.