GREENACRES, Fla. (KEYE) — Federal investigators have completed on-scene work related to a Learjet crash that killed nine people in Palm Beach County on November 1.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that excavation of the impact site continues. Crews have cleared areas where wreckage landed, including the Green Acres Mobile Home Community, Reading Truck, Silver Oaks Plaza, Value Store It Self Storage, and John I. Leonard High School.
Investigators have recovered several key components of the Learjet 60, including parts of both wings, engines, the flight deck, stabilizers, and several flap track assemblies, which have been sent for further examination.
The jet departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport headed to North Eleuthera, Bahamas, when it crashed near South Military Trail. Victims included Austin tech entrepreneur Adam Robinson, his partner Helen Sharp, and their two children, aged 4 and 2. Co-pilot Nathalia Filgueiras was also among those killed.
According to the NTSB, the crew experienced light icing and moderate turbulence at 35,000 feet and requested an altitude increase. Less than 30 seconds after this was approved, the crew issued a mayday call, reporting a rapid descent.
The NTSB previously indicated they recovered pieces of the plane’s left elevator up to 3.8 miles from the crash site, suggesting part of the aircraft may have separated before impact, although a definitive cause has yet to be determined. Weather is currently a focus of the investigation.
Residents who may have found debris are urged to contact the NTSB to arrange for recovery. For further updates, individuals can visit discover.pbc.gov.