The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Pilots' push to level jet may have torn off key piece found miles from Florida crash, former NTSB expert says
NTSB investigators found the Learjet 60's left tail elevator scattered up to 3.8 miles from the Florida crash site, pointing to an in-flight breakup.
A key piece of the Learjet 60 that crashed in Florida was found broken apart and scattered miles from the main crash site, according to federal investigators.
Investigators recovered pieces of the left tail elevator, described as a very important piece of evidence, as part of the ongoing wreckage study. One fragment was located about 3.8 miles from where the jet went down, with others found 1.3 miles away, suggesting separation prior to impact.
The crash occurred in Palm Beach County after the Learjet departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport around 10:37 a.m., en route to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, with the accident resulting in the deaths of everyone aboard.
Authorities are examining whether the loss of the elevator and other debris indicates an in-flight breakup or if structural forces overwhelmed the aircraft during a leveling attempt by the pilots. No determination has yet been announced regarding the cause.
Weather is identified as a major focus of the probe, with crew reports of icing and moderate turbulence at cruising altitude prior to a rapid loss of altitude. The investigation also notes that a cockpit voice recorder is present on the jet but has not yet been located or confirmed to have been on board.