NTSB recovers engine piece as excavation begins at Florida jet crash site

The National Transportation Safety Board says it has recovered part of an engine from the Learjet that crashed near Greenacres, Florida, after departing Austin, Texas, with nine people reported killed.

Excavation at the impact site began late Wednesday and continued on Thursday as crews worked to pump water from the crater to reach wreckage. Debris has been found away from the site as well, including on nearby roofs, the agency noted.

All recovered wreckage is being taken to a secure location for further examination, per NTSB procedures. The agency has asked the public not to move or discard debris and to email debris observations with photos to assist investigators.

The Learjet 60 departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and was en route to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when it crashed near South Military Trail in Palm Beach County, Florida. The crash occurred with nine fatalities reported, including a Texas-based entrepreneur and family members traveling with him, though names and affiliations are not repeated in this update.

Investigators reported that the crew encountered light clear ice and moderate turbulence at flight level 35,000 feet and requested to climb; minutes later they issued a mayday and communicated that the aircraft was descending in an overspeed condition.