A Learjet 60 traveling from Texas to the Bahamas crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, killing all nine people on board after the crew reported icing and turbulence.
A Learjet 60 crashed near Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday, November 1, 2026, killing all nine people on board. The aircraft, operated by Aurora Aviation and doing business as Upper Jets, was traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when the accident occurred.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the aircraft plummeted toward a roadway near South Military Trail in Palm Beach County. The crash left a large crater and significant debris. One person on the ground sustained a leg injury, according to NTSB Senior Air Safety Investigator Tim Monville.
Family members have identified eight of the nine victims:
The co-pilot has been identified by her family as 20-year-old Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras.
Air traffic control radio recordings captured the final moments of the flight. Minutes before the crash, the crew reported encountering "light, clear ice that is manageable and moderate turbulence," according to NTSB member Tom Chapman. The crew also reported an outside temperature of -47 degrees Celsius (-53 degrees Fahrenheit) and requested to climb from 35,000 feet to 37,000 feet to find clearer air.
Shortly after the request to climb was granted, the aircraft entered an overspeed condition. Radio transmissions captured the crew stating, "We’re descending 10,000 feet per minute" and later, "We’re going to crash into the ground!"
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the plane likely flew through a developing thunderstorm that moved in from the southeast approximately five minutes before the crash. The FOX Forecast Center noted the estimated cloud height of the storm was around 44,000 feet, which is approximately 7,000 feet higher than the plane's altitude at the time.
The NTSB has launched a rapid response team to investigate the cause of the crash. Investigators are examining several factors, including the role of weather and whether the aircraft experienced icing. NTSB Member Tom Chapman stated there is evidence that the aircraft may have experienced some breakup before impact, and investigators are working to determine if parts of the aircraft, such as the tail, separated mid-air.
Investigators are also working to determine if a cockpit voice recorder was on board. While maintenance records indicate one was installed, officials have not confirmed if it was present or if it can be recovered from the crash site.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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