Investigators recover the voice recorder from a jet crash in Florida that killed 9

Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder from a business jet that crashed in severe weather in Florida last week, killing all nine people on board. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) discovered the device at the site where the Learjet, bound for the Bahamas, crashed into the ground and erupted in a fireball on November 1.

The recorder's data could provide crucial insights into the pilots' actions and communications as they encountered turbulence, ice formation on the wings, and ultimately lost control of the aircraft. The NTSB stated the recorder appeared to be in good condition based on photos showing its orange-painted metal shell, suggesting that any information stored on it may have survived the crash.

Aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti told The Associated Press that recovering and analyzing the recorder could significantly aid the investigation. The NTSB will review maintenance records, the plane's history, and gather testimonies from Upper Jets, officials at the operating company, air traffic controllers, and individuals from the Austin, Texas airport.

The investigation, which typically takes 12 to 18 months, will also involve reviewing pieces of a critical elevator control part found over a mile away from the main crash site, indicating the plane began to disintegrate before impact.