The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released updates on its investigation into a plane crash in West Palm Beach, Florida, that killed nine people. Two crew members and seven passengers were flying from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to the Bahamas in a Learjet 60 when it crashed.
NTSB member Tom Chapman said the agency is investigating weather as a possible contributing factor. He said investigators still need to determine conditions at about 35,000 feet. The NTSB said the jet took off from Austin-Bergstrom at about 10:37 a.m. Eastern. At 12:47 p.m. Eastern, the crew reported light clear ice and moderate turbulence and asked to climb to 37,000 feet, which air traffic control approved. Chapman said that less than 30 seconds later, a transmission announced a descent, followed by a mayday call.
Chapman said investigators have some evidence that the aircraft broke up before impact. Matthew "Whiz" Buckley, a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot, said Learjet 60s are not built to handle icing. Buckley said video frames suggest the jet was missing its horizontal stabilizer before it hit the ground. The NTSB has not confirmed the cause of the crash, and the investigation continues.