Friend Says Florida Plane Crash Audio Captures the Worst Thing About the Pilot’s Last Moments
Friend reacts to final audio
The co-pilot’s longtime friend described hearing air traffic control recordings from the plane’s final moments as an especially painful experience. The friend said it was “probably the worst thing I’ve ever heard.” In the audio, Filgueiras reports a Mayday and says the plane is descending at 8,000 feet, then 10,000 feet per minute. A later transmission describes an overspeed condition and a descent of 20,000 feet per minute.
Families identify seven passengers
Those who died included Adam Robinson and Helen Sharp, a couple from Austin, and their children, Emma, 4, and Charlie, 2. The other passengers named were Rachael Reed, Charmi Fehr and Anita Maria Cetina.
In a joint statement, the families described Adam and Helen as devoted parents, and Charmi and [Rachel] as full of joy and adventure. They said Anita Maria left a legacy of unconditional love and devotion.
Investigators examine possible causes
Robert Sumwalt, a former National Transportation Safety Board chair and CBS News transportation safety expert, said he sees two possible atmospheric scenarios: icing, or thunderstorms and related turbulence. Investigators are prioritizing recovery of the cockpit voice recorder, which may help clarify events before the crash. Sumwalt said he was very confident they would identify the cause and recommend ways to prevent similar incidents.
Key points
- The co-pilot’s longtime friend called the final air traffic control audio deeply upsetting.
- The recordings include Mayday calls and reports of rapidly increasing descent rates.
- Seven passengers were identified, including two young children from an Austin family.
- Investigators are seeking the cockpit voice recorder and examining possible weather-related causes.