Audio from the moments before a Learjet crashed in Palm Beach captures its crew struggling to regain control as the aircraft descended rapidly.
The flight crew initially told air traffic control they were experiencing moderate turbulence and dealing with ice. After encountering precipitation, they said they intended to climb.
The situation then deteriorated, with the crew issuing a mayday call and reporting a descent rate of 10,000 feet per minute.
Shortly afterwards, they told controllers the rate had increased to 20,000 feet per minute. One crew member then warned: “We’re going to crash into the ground.”
As the aircraft continued to descend, a female crew member was heard shouting: “Holy f***, we’re out of time.”
Following a high-pitched scream, the air traffic controller replied: “I’m here with you, talk with me.”
The crew member responded that the aircraft was banking at 60 degrees. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under development.
