The heart-wrenching final audio from the Learjet 60 pilot before the crash in Florida that killed 9 people: “We’re going to crash into the ground”

The cockpit recording from a Learjet 60 's final moments reveals a desperate attempt by its crew to regain control as the aircraft plunged towards the ground in Florida , with the pilot reporting severe descent rates before warning air traffic control that a crash was imminent. Nine people aboard the private jet died when it struck the ground in Palm Springs, Palm Beach County , on Sunday afternoon after the aircraft had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was travelling to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when it went down at approximately 12:50pm local time.

Recordings of the exchange between the cockpit and air traffic control capture the situation deteriorating rapidly as the crew initially described moderate turbulence and icing before reporting precipitation and requesting permission to climb. But within moments, the aircraft was descending at an extraordinary rate as the pilot first reported a descent of 8000 feet per minute, followed by a mayday declaration as the rate increased to 10,000 feet per minute. The crew then reported an overspeed condition and a descent of 20,000 feet per minute, before horrifyingly warning controllers, "We're gonna crash into the ground."

Final moments captured in air traffic control recording

The aircraft struck Military Trail near Cresthaven , leaving a huge crater in the roadway and debris scattered across the surrounding area as video footage appeared to show the jet descending almost vertically before erupting into a fireball, with thick smoke rising above the neighborhood. Emergency crews declared a mass casualty incident, while authorities confirmed that all nine people aboard had died. No deaths or injuries among people on the ground had been reported although approximately 600 residents from a nearby trailer-park community were evacuated. Controllers attempted to maintain communication as the emergency unfolded as one can be heard responding, "November two Bravo Delta. I'm here with you. Talk to me," whilst the pilot reported a descent of 22,000 feet and a 60-degree bank as the recording then captures an inaudible scream and the words, "Look outside." In the final exchange, air traffic control asks the crew how they can hear, but the recording provides no further clear response, which came shortly after the pilot gave a chilling update by stating, “We're out of time." The impact also damaged local infrastructure, including water lines, and officials said Military Trail could remain closed for at least 30 days. Thunderstorms had been reported in the area, with heavy rain falling during the subsequent news conference. The identities of those killed have not been released and the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, with the FAA sending a team to assist at the scene.