October 31, 2026 at 8:33 AM
once more #WithAltText
it takes but ten seconds to be inklusive
it takes but ten seconds to be inklusive
October 31, 2026 at 7:56 AM
once more #WithAltText
it takes but ten seconds to be inklusive
it takes but ten seconds to be inklusive
![- Pilots were given permission from Miami Center Air Traffic Control to "deviate left and right" due to "moderate precipitation... to the southeast."
- ATC described the weather as "pretty nasty" as the aircraft was crossing the Florida Peninsula
- At 12:36 p.m., a thunderstorm west of Palm Beach was just under 33,000 feet tall. By 12:56 p.m., it was 48,300 feet tall.
That's an increase of more than 15,000 feet in 20 minutes, signifying VERY intense updrafts
- At 12:37 p.m., the captain said "[we] may need a slight left deviation for that weather up ahead". Deviations were approved by Air Traffic Control. The aircraft was still about 8 minutes, and 80 miles, away from the thunderstorm cell
- Temperatures at the aircraft's altitude were probably around minus-45 degrees Fahrenheit OUTSIDE the storm. Ordinarily, that would be too cold to support robust icing. (Clear glaze is most prevalent between 14 and 32 degrees, with mixing of clear/ rime ice at colder temperatures. Rime ice is a danger below 0 Fahrenheit, but once you get to colder temperatures, there aren't many supercooled water droplets left. HOWEVER, a rapidly-growing thunderstorm cloud can lift warmer temperatures, and more liquid water content, vertically upward. That can lead to extremely rapid icing in environments at altitudes where it otherwise would be a lesser concern.
- At 12:47 p.m., the first officer said "we have light clear ice that is manageable and moderate turbulence." The aircraft was entering the convective cell.
- At 12:48 p.m., the first officer asked to climb to 37,000 feet from 35,000 feet, noting an increase in precipitation
- The mayday call came approximately 20 seconds later](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ow37qmuwsv3qlrkh6xdglqxl/bafkreigg4ze5uy34w7lhg737og2zhynlhp7ujqanorjifx5bpwsedegyqm)
November 2, 2026 at 4:34 AM
