Happy Monday from a rainy Austin. This week, the National Transportation Safety Board gave its fullest account yet of the Nov. 1 Learjet 60 crash in Palm Beach County, Florida, that killed all nine people aboard a flight from Austin. Investigators reported that most of the airplane's left elevator was found in three pieces up to 3.8 miles from the main wreckage and that part of an engine was dug out of the crater. NBAA announced that Ed Bolen would retire after more than 22 years as president and CEO. STXBAA presented $15,000 to Higher Vets at its Eric Grace Memorial Clay Shoot, Texas business jet departures rose 4.8% year over year, Bombardier and Wheels Up reported third-quarter results, and a slow-moving system brought rain and low ceilings to Central and South Texas.
Learjet 60 Investigation: What the NTSB Has Found
Our hearts remain with the families and friends of the nine people lost aboard Learjet 60 N722BD, and with the Austin-area aviation community that has felt this loss so closely. The NTSB has not determined a probable cause. What follows is what investigators have said publicly and what has been reported.
The flight. The airplane departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas and crashed shortly before 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, along Military Trail near Greenacres, Florida. The NTSB identified the operator as Aurora Aviation, doing business as Upper Jets. The FAA registry lists the owner as LR60271 LLC of Wilmington, Delaware.
The final minutes. According to the NTSB, the crew reported light icing, turbulence and altitude changes of about 700 feet. The crew asked to climb from 35,000 to 37,000 feet, and controllers approved the request. Less than 30 seconds later, the crew reported that they were descending, then declared an emergency. Radio calls indicated an overspeed condition. Flight tracking data showed a loss of about 27,000 feet in roughly one minute, with descent rates near 20,000 feet per minute, before transmissions stopped.
The left elevator. Investigators recovered most of the left elevator, a pitch-control surface, in three pieces. The pieces were found between 1.3 and 3.8 miles from the main crash site. The NTSB said it has not determined whether the elevator separated before the loss of control or because of forces during the descent. On Nov. 2, NTSB Member Tom Chapman said there was "some indication that the aircraft was breaking up before impact." Debris was also found away from the crater, including on nearby rooftops. The NTSB asked anyone holding a piece to leave it where it is and email the agency a photo.
The engine. Excavation of the crater began late Nov. 4 and continued Nov. 5. Investigators recovered part of one engine. The NTSB did not say which engine. Recovered wreckage is to be taken to a secure facility.
Icing and weather. The NTSB said it is reviewing weather along the route, including whether ice affected the airplane's performance. It has not determined that icing contributed to the accident. The NTSB also said it is examining the airplane's condition and the crew's actions.
Recorders. Maintenance records indicate the airplane was equipped with a cockpit voice recorder. As of the most recent reports, investigators had not confirmed that it was aboard at the time of the crash or that it could be recovered. Chapman said, "Of course we're very hopeful that we can recover it."
On the ground. Military Trail remained closed between 10th Avenue North and Cresthaven Boulevard, and some residents were still unable to return to their homes. Officials told residents that normal conditions could take about 30 days to return. Palm Beach County authorities identified all nine victims. No one on the ground was reported killed.
What comes next. The NTSB typically issues a preliminary report within about 30 days, which would put it in early December. A final report with a probable cause typically takes 12 to 24 months.
Texas
STXBAA awarded $15,000 to Higher Vets at its Eric Grace Memorial Clay Shoot. The South Texas Business Aviation Association held its annual Eric Grace Memorial Clay Shoot at the American Shoot on Nov. 5. STXBAA partnered with Higher Vets on its annual golf tournament in May, and at the clay shoot the association presented the organization with $15,000 for its work with veterans. The amount was kept a surprise until the presentation. Joe Peebles flew in from Atlanta to accept the funds. "We came to Texas expecting a good day with good people, and we left with a very useful donation," Peebles said. "This money goes straight to the veterans we serve, and we're grateful to STXBAA and everyone who showed up to support them." "Our members give their time and their dollars to this event every year, and it's a privilege to put that money behind veterans," said Jodie Kaluza, STXBAA chair. "Eric Grace would have loved seeing it go to this cause."
Jodie Kaluza, Eric Ramsey, Clayton Corn, Brittany Cloer, Ysabella Tetley, Shelby Garza, Justin Walworth, Vicki Matso, and AshleyAnn Sander of thre STXBAA Board of Driectors present Joe Peebles and Chuck Stroman of Higher Vets with a $15,000 donation.
Texas departures rose while the rest of North America fell. WingX reported that Texas business jet departures increased 4.8% year over year for the week of Oct. 26 to Nov. 1. U.S. departures fell 1.3% to 51,699, and North American departures fell 1.6% to 53,347. Halloween timing affected the comparison. WingX published the figures in its Nov. 4 bulletin.
Midland approved hangar infrastructure. The City of Midland approved an $8.37 million construction contract with Reece Albert Inc. for work at its airport, part of a project expected to total about $12.6 million. The city plans to prepare land and infrastructure for private hangar developers under long-term ground leases, responding to a waiting list for hangar space tied to Permian Basin demand. Work was projected to start in early 2027 and finish before year-end, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram.
Signia Aerospace agreed to acquire Addison-based Heads Up Technologies. Signia, backed by Arcline Investment Management, signed a definitive agreement with JLL Partners to acquire Heads Up, which makes cabin lighting, cabin management electronics and control systems for business and commercial aircraft. Price and closing date were not disclosed, and the deal had not closed.
Bell delivered its 2,000th Bell 407. Fort Worth-based Bell Textron delivered the milestone helicopter to White Saddle Air Services in British Columbia. The 407GXi uses Garmin G1000H NXi avionics, and the aircraft is built at Bell's Mirabel, Quebec, plant.
McKinney National prepared for airline service. McKinney National Airport was set to begin Avelo Airlines flights Nov. 11 from a new terminal of about 46,000 square feet with four gates and about 980 parking spaces, according to D Magazine and the City of McKinney. General aviation traffic continues under the TKI identifier, and the scheduled service uses DTX.
SkyWay received FAA parts approval for a Citation lavatory retrofit. The Uvalde-based Part 145 repair station received Parts Manufacturer Approval for its SkyFlush system for CitationJet, CJ1, CJ2 and CJ3-series aircraft. The system can be serviced from an external fitting in the aft wing-fuselage fairing. Published figures were roughly $42,000 for hardware and $5,000 for installation, before aircraft-specific work.
Around North America
NBAA's Ed Bolen announced his retirement. NBAA announced Nov. 6 that Bolen, who has led the association since 2004, would retire. He had been on medical leave for cancer treatment since September. "I regret having to step down because of my health," he said. The board named Dan Hubbard, the association's senior vice president of communications, as acting CEO. A search committee chaired by board vice chair Matt Byrd, president and CEO of Fort Worth-based Hillwood Aviation, will identify a permanent successor. AOPA Acting Co-President Katie Pribyl said, "General aviation has had no better friend than Ed Bolen." NBAA did not give an effective date. Bolen was honored throughout the Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition last month, where attendees wore sunflower lapel pins in his honor.
The FAA administrator was scheduled to testify on air traffic control modernization. Reuters reported that FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford was to appear before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Nov. 10 to discuss the existing $12.5 billion modernization program. The administration has sought roughly $30 billion more. The development was the hearing announcement, not an appropriation.
The FAA put its first digital towers into operation. The FAA announced operational digital tower systems at Bartow Executive Airport in Florida and Kenai Municipal Airport in Alaska. High-resolution cameras and displays give controllers a 360-degree view of the surface and airspace. Frequentis supplied the technology. Future sites include Winter Haven Regional, Venice Municipal, Montgomery County Airpark, Johnston Regional and Durango-La Plata County, with no operating dates set.
The DOT inspector general opened an audit of helicopter air-tour oversight. The audit will review how the FAA identifies and oversees commercial helicopter sightseeing operators, including the line between air tours and operations described as aerial photography or conducted under other exemptions. The audit does not change Part 91 or Part 135.
The NTSB attributed a 2024 TBM 850 accident to snow contamination. The NTSB's findings covered the Oct. 29, 2024, accident at Ralph Wenz Field in Pinedale, Wyoming. Heavy wet snow accumulated during a 15-minute ground stop, and a witness said contamination remained on part of a wing after the pilot tried to clean it with a foam brush. The pilot declined available deicing fluids and rotated at about 85 knots against a calculated 87-knot target. The left wing dropped and struck the surface. One passenger was seriously injured, and several others had minor injuries. The NTSB cited inadequate snow removal and noncompliance with the manufacturer's anti-icing procedures and found no preimpact mechanical malfunction.
Bombardier reported a record services quarter. Third-quarter revenue was $2.37 billion, up 3%. Bombardier delivered 33 aircraft, compared with 34 a year earlier, and backlog was $22.2 billion at Sept. 30. The company raised its 2026 free cash flow forecast to more than $1.3 billion. The company also reported services revenue up 19% to a record $701 million and adjusted EBITDA of about $382 million, and it maintained its outlook of more than 157 deliveries and over $10 billion in revenue for the year.
Wheels Up reported a third-quarter loss and ordered six Phenom 300Es. The company reported revenue of $164.8 million, down 11% year over year, gross profit of $15.2 million and a net loss of $89.4 million. It ordered six factory-new Embraer Phenom 300E jets, with deliveries starting in the second half of 2027. Its premium Phenom and Challenger fleet grew from 24 to 43 aircraft, and revenue from those categories rose 120%. Delta Air Lines provided a new $100 million revolving credit facility. All figures are the company's.
NetJets announced a Columbus headquarters expansion. The plan adds more than 365,000 square feet, including offices, pilot training space, dining and event facilities and parking. NetJets expects about 800 new employees, bringing its regional workforce to roughly 3,200. Construction would occur in stages, with completion targeted for early 2029, subject to regulatory approvals.
Gulfstream gave more detail on its delivery targets. Reporting on comments by General Dynamics president Danny Deep said Gulfstream targets 200 deliveries a year by 2030 and expects to produce at least that many in 2029. Final G280 deliveries are expected around mid-2027. G300 certification is targeted for late 2027, with first deliveries in late 2027 or early 2028. Supplier capacity and production in Israel remain timing considerations.
Mexico's domestic business jet flying fell. WingX reported Mexico departures down 22.5% year over year for Oct. 26 to Nov. 1, with domestic activity down about 33% and international activity down about 2%. Domestic flying by U.S.-registered jets was down about 53%. Day of the Dead timing complicated the comparison, and U.S.-Mexico cross-border flying was relatively stable.
Training and brokerage programs launched. The International Aircraft Dealers Association and the American Society of Appraisers announced a partnership to build IADA's quarterly market data into appraisal education and an online course for brokers. Louisiana-based Jet Mentis launched a 14-module Charter Foundation course covering brokerage practices and DOT Part 295 disclosures. Neither is an FAA or DOT credential.
Skystar launched a trip-support service with published fees. The company advertised 8% for catering coordination with a $75 minimum, 6% for trip and handling services, and $0.10 per gallon for fuel coordination with a $75 minimum. It said it supports more than 3,700 airports and takes no supplier referral commissions. Those claims are the company's.
Airport projects advanced. SC Aviation broke ground on a 30,000-square-foot hangar at Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport in Janesville, a roughly $3.5 million project that would raise its hangar space by about 60%, with completion targeted for March 2027. Ponca City Regional Airport in Oklahoma began a $14.3 million terminal replacing an 8,500-square-foot building from the 1950s, funded by $9.4 million from the FAA, $3.9 million from the city and $1 million from Oklahoma aerospace authorities. The Ponca City groundbreaking was Oct. 30.
Flyte Aviation received Canadian authorization for Cirrus Vision Jet charter. Transport Canada authorized charter flights between the U.S. and Canada, with Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa among the proposed destinations. The authorization was first reported Oct. 31.
TBM owners raised $360,000 for safety education. The TBM Owners and Pilots Association gathering in Phoenix drew more than 300 attendees and 78 aircraft, including nine TBM 980s. Daher reportedly cited cumulative TBM deliveries above 1,330. Separately, an NTSB official at a Greater Washington Business Aviation Association Safety Day discussed protected voluntary reporting and cautious use of AI in safety analysis. It was not a new rule or investigative conclusion.
Around the World
Eve firmed up a Brazilian eVTOL order. Eve Air Mobility announced a binding agreement with FlyBIS for two firm aircraft plus ten purchase rights, replacing part of an earlier letter of intent. Eve reported more than 70 prototype flights, components arriving for six certification prototypes and a third-quarter net loss of about $58.1 million. It targets certification in 2028.
Atlantic Aviation and Electra will study New York locations. The two signed a memorandum of understanding to examine sites for a proposed Direct Aviation network using Electra's nine-passenger EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft, which the company targets for service from 2030. No route, airport commitment or aircraft order was announced.
Galaxy 1 and Viasat moved their Velaris connectivity service toward production. The offering for unmanned aircraft and advanced air mobility has been in development and testing for about two years. It is connectivity infrastructure, not an aircraft certification or a beyond-visual-line-of-sight authorization.
Leonardo reported higher helicopter orders. Orders rose 28% for the first nine months of 2026, to 131 units from 102. Deliveries rose from 115 to 120, and the helicopter backlog was about EUR 16.9 billion. Some of the growth came from military programs.
Airbus Corporate Jets surveyed financiers and brokers. Of 280 respondents, 91% expected greater government interest in buying or chartering business aircraft, and 95% of U.S. respondents agreed. The results are opinions, not a measured rise in orders.
Jet Aviation reopened its Schiphol FBO. The six-month project added about 4,300 square feet, bringing the facility to roughly 10,700 square feet.
U.S. prosecutors sought forfeiture of a Gulfstream G550. A civil complaint filed Oct. 28 alleges the foreign-registered jet stayed in Iran beyond a temporary-operation allowance during a December 2024 visit. The government seized it in Anchorage in May 2026. The case is pending, and the allegations are unproven.
Coming up: EBAA Week runs Nov. 16 to 18 at Skyhall Brussels.
Weather and Fuel
Texas Forecast, Nov. 9 to 15
Forecasts are from NWS offices as of Nov. 8. They are planning information only. Use current TAFs, SIGMETs and a briefing before flight.
- North Texas (NWS Fort Worth): Showers lingered Sunday, mainly south of I-20 and along and west of I-35, with up to a third of an inch. Isolated showers (20 to 30% west of I-35) continue Monday and Tuesday. Highs reach the mid-70s Tuesday, 5 to 10 degrees above normal. A dry cold front moves through Thursday afternoon or evening with breezy north winds, then Wednesday through the weekend is very dry with abundant sun.
- Central Texas (NWS Austin/San Antonio): Headlined "Soggy Weather Ahead." Steady light to moderate rain continues through early Tuesday, with 1 to 4 inches and pockets up to 6 inches. The office said the flood threat remains low in most areas but noted flooding concerns in a marked area. Temperatures are in the 50s and 60s, returning to milder values by Wednesday as rain chances drop. Expect prolonged low ceilings.
- Coastal Bend and Brush Country (NWS Corpus Christi): Higher flood concern, with widespread 2 to 6 inches and isolated higher amounts forecast through Tuesday.
- Houston/Galveston: Scattered showers and thunderstorms through Monday afternoon, mostly west of I-45, with a 20 to 80% chance Monday and locally heavy rain possible. Highs are in the upper 60s to low 70s. A backdoor front around Friday brings a slight cooldown. A Small Craft Advisory covered the upper Texas coast, with seas of 4 to 6 feet.
- South Plains (NWS Lubbock): Dry and sunny through the week, with no precipitation in the forecast. Highs are in the mid-60s Monday and upper 60s Tuesday through Saturday. Lows range from the mid-40s to the lower 50s. Winds are southwest at 5 to 10 mph Monday. Issued Nov. 7.
- Permian Basin (NWS Midland/Odessa): The office's page had not been updated with a Nov. 9 to 15 outlook when checked. Its most recent outlook, issued Nov. 3, called for another front by the end of that week and cooler temperatures through the weekend. Check current forecasts.
- Oklahoma (NWS Norman): Mostly dry and several degrees above normal through the week, with areas of fog possible Sunday and Monday mornings.
National: A system moving through the Pacific Northwest dominated the western outlook on NWS pages. The Weather Prediction Center and National Hurricane Center pages were not available when checked, so this edition has no national roundup or tropical outlook.
Lowest Posted Jet A Prices in Texas
AirNav pages could not be refreshed on Nov. 8, so these are the Nov. 2 listings. Confirm with the FBO before fueling.
- KADS (Addison), Galaxy FBO: $7.05 full service (guaranteed), no date listed
- KHQZ (Mesquite), Mesquite Metro: $7.15 full service, $6.65 self service
- KRBD (Dallas Executive), Jet Access: $7.25 full service, updated Oct. 28
- KBAZ (New Braunfels), City Terminal: $8.15 full service, $7.65 self service
- KTKI (McKinney), McKinney Air Center: $8.20 full service, $7.70 self service
- KADS (Addison), Million Air: $8.35 full service, updated Oct. 30
- KDAL (Dallas Love), Signature: $8.90 full service
- KGTU (Georgetown), Cutter: $9.30 full service
- KEDC (Austin Executive), Henriksen: $11.25 full service
- KAUS (Austin), Signature: $11.32 full service
Fuel Programs and Discounts
- Galaxy FBO (KADS): Tier volume discounts, plus a Phillips 66 contract and World Fuel Rewards.
- Million Air Dallas: Waives ramp fees with a minimum fuel purchase. Accepts Avfuel, Everest and Multi Service Aviation Card.
- Signature: Weekend and negotiated discounts.
- Texas Jet (KFTW): AirBoss program price of $9.24 versus the $9.64 posted price, as of Oct. 25.
- Cutter (KGTU) and City Terminal (KBAZ): Accept Avfuel.
National Averages
- Argus US Jet Fuel Index: About $4.49 a gallon, down about $0.20 from $4.69 the week before. It averages wholesale spot prices in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and New York.
- GlobalAir: Average posted retail Jet A of about $8.59, 100LL about $7.83, and SAF about $11.51.
- iFlightPlanner October survey (3,367 FBOs and vendors): Full-service Jet A averaged $8.66, up about $0.30 for a fourth straight monthly gain. Full-service 100LL averaged $7.85, self-service 100LL $6.82, self-service UL94 $7.87 and mogas $5.79.
Wholesale and posted retail prices are not directly comparable, and neither reflects negotiated charter or contract rates.
That's The Brief
The Week in One Sentence: The NTSB reported that the Learjet 60's left elevator was found in three pieces up to 3.8 miles from the crash site, NBAA's Ed Bolen announced his retirement, and Texas departures grew 4.8% as rain moved across the state.
About Our Sources
This edition draws on the NTSB briefings and statements as reported by AVweb, CBS12, AP and Yahoo News, AIN, Reuters, the FAA, WingX, company releases from Bombardier, Wheels Up, Bell Textron and others, NWS forecast offices, AirNav, Argus, GlobalAir and iFlightPlanner. Company figures are as reported by the companies.
