Investigators found tail pieces miles from the site of a fatal Florida jet crash
Federal investigators recovered three pieces of the Learjet 60’s left elevator, a tail control surface, between 1.3 and 3.8 miles from the Greenacres, Florida, crash site, where all nine people aboard died. NTSB board member Tom Chapman said the parts confirm the aircraft was breaking apart before impact. Investigators have not determined whether the separation contributed to the crash.
More context
Investigators found the Learjet 60’s left elevator—a control surface on the tail—in three pieces as far as 3.8 miles from the crash site, indicating the aircraft began breaking apart before impact. The jet crashed near Greenacres, Florida, on Nov. 1, killing all nine people aboard. It was flying from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas. National Transportation Safety Board board member Tom Chapman said the distance confirmed the pieces separated from the aircraft before impact. Chapman said the elevator had broken into three parts and that, without it intact, the pilot could not have pulled the jet out of a nose dive. Investigators have not determined whether the separation contributed to the loss of control or resulted from forces during the descent.
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Reporting
- The Washington Post — Parts of jet’s tail found miles from Florida crash site - The Washington Post
- PBS News — Parts of jet's tail found more than a mile from plane crash site in South Florida, official says | PBS News
- militaryaerospace.com — NTSB investigates Learjet 60 crash after aircraft parts found miles from impact site | Military Aerospace
- wpbf.com — Learjet crash debris crashes through woman's roof as NTSB finds tail pieces - WPBF
Verifier’s note
Military Aerospace, The Washington Post, WPBF, and PBS (carrying Associated Press) all report that parts of the crashed Learjet were found miles from the crash site. The reports are current and consistent with the proposed event.