A private Learjet 60 crashed outside Palm Beach, Fla., killing all nine on board after plummeting at 20,000 feet per minute. The pilot, 20-year-old Nathalia Filgueiras, reported icing and turbulence before declaring a mayday. The plane was en route from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it fell into a residential area, forcing evacuations of 600 residents.
No ground injuries were reported. Authorities from the FAA and NTSB are investigating. Filgueiras, a licensed pilot since age 17 with over 1,300 hours, worked for Upper Jets.
Experts suggest ice buildup may have caused a stall, leading to the sudden drop. Witnesses described explosions, fire, and debris raining down.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing