Air traffic control recordings and flight tracking data are piecing together the final minutes of a Learjet that crashed in Greenacres, Florida, killing all nine people on board. The flight originated in Austin, Texas.
The data suggests the flight crew encountered turbulence and icing conditions before initiating a climb, which was followed by a rapid and violent descent. Investigators are still working to fully explain the in-flight breakup that occurred.
The Learjet N722BD departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 10:37 a.m. Central Time. On board were Austin tech entrepreneur Adam Robinson, 45, his wife Helen Sharp, 40, their two children, Emma, 4, and Charlie, 2, the children's nanny Anita Maria Cetina, and Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr.
The aircraft reached its cruise altitude of approximately 41,000 feet by 11 a.m. Central Time, with no significant events reported for the next hour and a half.
At 12:31 p.m. Eastern Time, an air traffic controller alerted the crew to moderate precipitation approximately five miles away. The crew was then directed toward a waypoint near Naples, Florida. Shortly after, the flight crew inquired about a more direct route to the Bahamas, which would involve flying over Florida. Air traffic control approved the route but warned of moderate to extreme precipitation along the path and noted that the weather conditions for a turn toward the Bahamas appeared poor.
By 12:35 p.m., the flight crew altered their plan, indicating a turn towards Naples, Florida, with intentions to proceed to the Bahamas afterward. Air traffic control instructed the Learjet to descend to 35,000 feet at 12:36 p.m.
At 12:40 p.m., air traffic control authorized deviations for weather and instructed the crew they could proceed toward the Bahamas when feasible. Flight tracking data showed the plane heading north towards Palm Beach County.
The situation deteriorated by 12:47 p.m. The flight crew reported to air traffic control that weather conditions were worsening, with icing and turbulence, and asked if there was a "better ride" ahead. They also indicated experiencing precipitation and requested to climb to 37,000 feet.
Despite the request, the Learjet climbed only to 35,450 feet before beginning a rapid descent at 12:48 p.m. A mayday call was transmitted to air traffic control as the aircraft's descent rate increased to approximately 10,000 feet per minute, later doubling to around 20,000 feet per minute. The controller acknowledged the crew's situation, stating, "I'm here with you. Talk to me." The crew responded, "We're going to crash into the ground."
The final transmission from the flight crew, captured just before the crash at 12:49 p.m. Eastern Time, was: "Holy f–k, we're out of time!" The aircraft subsequently crashed in Greenacres, Florida.
Former NTSB investigator Alan Diehl told Fox News Digital that once the Learjet lost controlled flight, the pilots likely had very limited ability to regain control. "Once you’re caught into this trap, it’s like the proverbial situation of painting yourself in the corner," Diehl said. "There are no really good options. There’s three potentially bad options... You have literally seconds to respond, and at some point it may have been impossible."