The plane crashed in Greenacres (Image: @X)
Investigators have recovered part of a private jet's engine from the scene of a horror plane crash in Florida that killed nine people.
The plane burst into flames when it crashed in Greenacres , about seven miles southwest of West Palm Beach, with thick black smoke engulfing the crash site .
A huge hole was left in the ground after the plane plummeted to the ground and now the National Transportation Safety Board said that a "portion of one engine" was found while officials excavated the area.
Investigators at the scene of the crash (Image: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Victims included the 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, who made the final radio transmissions, as well as technology entrepreneur Adam Robinson, his wife, Helen Sharp, and their two young children.
A statement from the NTSB on X read: "NTSB investigators and local officials continue recovery efforts for the wreckage of the Learjet 60 that crashed on Nov. 1 near Greenacres, Florida.
"Excavation work at the crash site began late yesterday and continues today, which included finding a portion of one engine.
Nathalia Gadelha, 20, was the co-pilot (Image: itsnatfilg/Threads)
"Debris has been found away from the impact location and also on the roofs of homes and buildings near the crash site. All recovered wreckage will be sent to a secure location for further examination."
The plane, a Learjet 60, had departed Austin, Texas and was en route to the Bahamas when it crashed on Sunday having encountered an unusual convective storm system.
People who may find pieces of wreckage from the plane are also being urged to pass it to investigators.
The statement from the NTSB continues: "If you have found or collected any debris from the Learjet 60 crash, please do not keep it or attempt to move, alter or dispose of it. Even small pieces of the wreckage may contain important evidence that could help investigators determine what happened.
Adam Robinson, his wife Helen Sharp, and their two children, Emma and Charlie (Image: Family Handout)
"We ask that you contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov to arrange its recovery. Please include a photo of the debris, if possible, in your email. Recovering all available wreckage is critical to the investigation and helping to determine the cause of the crash."
The plane appears to have attempted to climb above the storm, having requested and received clearance at 35,000ft to ascend to 37,000ft after reporting freezing temperatures and ice forming on the jet’s hull. Ice can be dangerous as it affects the air flows around the wings and makes it harder for the plane to remain aloft.
When there is ice on wings it is harder to achieve lift - and the angle where a plane can stall is lower than would normally be the case. And so it is possible that an attempt to climb with ice on the wings led to the plane stalling.
The aircraft likely started breaking apart before it slammed into the ground and erupted in a fireball, a federal investigator has said. The jet did a steep nosedive, leaving behind a crater and a wide debris field as rain pounded the area.