A chilling recording has revealed the final moments aboard a private Learjet 60 that crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, on November 1, 2026, killing all nine people on board. Among the last words heard from the cockpit was a desperate message: “We’re out of time.”
The aircraft was traveling from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when it encountered serious difficulties during the flight. According to air traffic control recordings, the crew initially reported moderate turbulence and icing conditions while requesting a smoother flight path.
But within moments, the situation changed dramatically.
Desperate Mayday Calls Before The Crash
Audio from the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center captured the crew reporting that the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude.
One of the pilots issued a Mayday call, reporting a descent rate of approximately 10,000 feet per minute. Seconds later, the situation became even more serious, with the crew reporting that the descent had accelerated to around 20,000 feet per minute.
“We’re going to crash into the ground,” one crew member was heard saying.
Approximately 35 seconds after the initial emergency call, another voice delivered the final message: “We’re out of time.”
Flight-tracking information later indicated that the aircraft’s descent rate may have exceeded 32,000 feet per minute at one point.
Nine People Were On Board
The Learjet crashed near Greenacres in Palm Beach County shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday.
The impact created a large crater near the entrance to a mobile home community, with flames and debris reported around the area. Video recorded by passing motorists captured the aircraft descending rapidly before striking the ground.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that all nine people aboard had lost their lives. Authorities had not publicly released their identities in the initial reports.
Fortunately, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said no injuries were reported among people on the ground.
Around 600 residents from the nearby community were evacuated while emergency crews secured the area. Several roads were also closed as authorities responded to the incident.
Investigators Examine Weather And Aircraft Conditions
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.
Before the emergency, the crew reported icing and turbulence. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were also affecting parts of South Florida that afternoon, raising questions about whether weather conditions may have contributed to the aircraft’s difficulties.
However, investigators have not established an official cause.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Investigators will examine flight data, aircraft maintenance records, weather conditions and the available cockpit communications.
The aircraft was a Bombardier Learjet 60, a private business jet traveling toward the Bahamas.
For now, the final radio communications provide a troubling account of how quickly the flight deteriorated. Investigators are working to determine what happened during those critical moments and why the crew was unable to regain control.
As the investigation continues, attention remains on identifying the nine people aboard and providing answers to their families.