NTSB Focus Turns to Impact Crater at Learjet Crash Site

The NTSB said it has completed its search of the surrounding crash scene of the November 1 fatal accident involving a Bombardier Learjet 60 near West Palm Beach, Florida and has sent the cockpit coice cecorder (CVR) for analysis.

While portions of the twinjet’s left elevator were found miles from the main impact crater, where excavation continues, the agency said it has cleared the surrounding area, which includes Green Acres Mobile Home Community, Reading Truck, Silver Oaks Plaza, Value Store It Self Storage, and John I. Leonard High School.

Despite the aircraft’s impact energy and resulting fireball, investigators have recovered the CVR and identified portions of the aircraft, including components from the wings, engines, flight deck, vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer, left elevator, aileron sections, and flap track assemblies. The aircraft was was required to have a CVR under FAR 135.151 rules.

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The pilot’s radio call ended with "we’re out of time."

The CVR and some of the recovered parts have been sent to NTSB facilities in Washington, D.C., for closer inspection. The NTSB reiterated its request to members of the public who may have found any debris from the crash site not to keep it or attempt to move, alter, or dispose of it, and to contact authorities to collect it.