AUSTIN, Texas — Federal investigators on Wednesday released new timeline details in the West Palm Beach, Florida, plane crash that killed 9 people.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, two crew members and seven passengers were aboard a Learjet 60 traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to the Bahamas when it crashed in Florida.
The NTSB said the jet departed ABIA at approximately 10:37 a.m. Eastern Time. At 12:47 p.m. ET, the crew reported light clear ice and moderate turbulence around 35,000 feet and requested a climb to 37,000 feet.
Authorities said less than 30 seconds after the climb was approved, the aircraft reported a descent and issued a mayday. At about 12:48 p.m. ET, a transmission stated the jet was in an overspeed condition while descending.
Investigators are examining weather as a potential contributing factor and said there is evidence of some in-flight breakup before impact. The NTSB said the cause of the crash has not been determined, and the investigation is ongoing.