You’re a flight instructor, and a student of yours has probably read about the Florida Learjet crash. Here is a 2-minute conversation, including what to say about what is and isn’t known and when to bring in someone else.
You’re a flight instructor, and there’s a good chance a student of yours has read about a recent crash. Even if they aren’t saying anything, here’s a 2-minute conversation you can have, including what to say about what is and isn’t known, and when it might be time to bring in someone else.
Most recently, the NTSB opened an investigation into a Learjet crash in Greenacres, Florida on November 1. It has been all over the news, and so far the NTSB hasn’t determined a cause.
So a student comes in for their lesson. They’ve read that nine people died, and maybe they’ve heard the audio. They may not say a word about it, or they may ask you what happened. What happens next?
Most of us do one of two things. If the student doesn’t say anything, we move straight into the preflight briefing. If they do, we offer a quick reassurance like “I know, that’s hard” or “I can’t believe it,” and move on, because we don’t know what to say. Either way, the student is left to work out on their own whether they’re allowed to keep talking about it. Two minutes at the start of your lesson can change that.
What is known, and what is not
Authorities say all nine people aboard died, according to ABC News. The NTSB said at the scene that it would not determine probable cause there and would not speculate about it, as AIN reported. AVweb reports the NTSB has not established what caused the sudden descent. The honest answer to “what happened?” is that investigators haven’t said yet.
Move One: Acknowledge It
Say something first: “I saw the news about the Learjet crash in Florida. It was a really hard story to read.” Saying something first helps the student know it’s okay to talk about it.
Move Two: Say What Is Known and What Is Not
If the student does say something, don’t speculate. Stick to what is known, and be clear about what is not: “What’s been reported is that nine people died and the NTSB is investigating. They haven’t said what caused it, so I can’t tell you. And I wouldn’t trust anyone online who says they can.”
Leave out your own theory about the weather, the aircraft, or the crew. A student may hear an instructor’s guess as a finding, and the investigation isn’t finished.
Move Three: Ask One Question
Ask one question, then wait and listen. When you feel like you want to interrupt or say something, count to 3 in your head. Something like: “How are you carrying it into today?”
Ask rather than assume how it might be affecting them. Your student might know someone connected to the flight, or may be carrying an older loss that this crash brought back up.
Move Four: Decide Together
Decide together what to do: “We can fly as planned, spend a few more minutes on the ground, go for a walk and see how you feel, or move our flight to another time. Any option is okay. What fits best for you today?”
This gives your student permission to think about what they actually need, which can lead to a safer decision and a better flight, whether that is today or another day.
Beyond the Four: When to Bring In Someone Else
A student feeling unsettled by this story is a normal reaction and does not mean they should stop training. These are signs it may be time to bring in someone else. They are prompts for you to notice, not a checklist for diagnosing anyone.
- The student keeps bringing up the story, lesson after lesson
- You notice it’s affecting their sleep, school, or work
- They knew someone aboard, or it brought back an earlier loss (they may still be processing it)
- They start avoiding flights or the airport
Things to remember: You are not their counselor. If you think you need to reach out to someone, start with your chief instructor or follow your school’s procedures. You can also reach out to a licensed professional just to ask what to do.
Ongoing 1:1 coaching can support students throughout training, not only before a checkride. Coaching is not reportable on MedXPress, but it is not a replacement for medical or mental health care, and it does not change what a pilot must answer on the application.
If you’re seeing a sense of hopelessness, meaning they don’t see a way out of the situation or a way for it to get better, or you’re worried about a risk of self-harm, help them call or text 988 right then.
If a student asks whether talking to someone will affect their medical, don’t answer it yourself. Send them to the Pilot Mental Health Campaign or to a HIMS-trained AME before they decide anything.
The honest answer to “what happened?” is that investigators haven’t said yet.
If the Whole School Is Carrying a Loss
When a loss is closer to home, whether a colleague, a student, or a friend, the grief belongs on the school’s agenda too. Navigating Grief in Aviation is a 60-minute virtual workshop I run for pilots and aviation teams; sharing is always optional. You can find it on the Workshops page.
- Acknowledge: “I saw the news about ______. It was ______ to read.”
- Known and not known: Write one sentence starting with “What’s been reported is” and one starting with “What isn’t known yet is.” Use only what is attributed to the NTSB or authorities.
- One check-in question: Figure out your one check-in question in your own words. (For example: “How are you doing with this today?”)
- Lesson options: Write two or three alternate lesson options, including a ground-first option.
Read it out loud at least once. Then write down who at your school you would go to if you needed to bring in someone else, and keep the 988 number where you can see it.
Download the printable (PDF) →
Letter size. Print it, fill it in, and keep it in your flight bag.
Facts about the Florida crash are attributed to the outlets below and to the NTSB statements they report. This is a developing story as of November 7, 2026.
- ABC News, Nov 3, 2026: Authorities say all nine aboard died.
- Aviation International News, Nov 3, 2026: NTSB said it would not determine probable cause on scene or speculate about it.
- AVweb, Nov 2, 2026: NTSB has not established what caused the sudden descent.
If you or a student is in crisis in the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Coaching is not therapy or medical treatment, and it does not replace care from a licensed professional.
Explore partnerships and training support.
Explore Partnerships →- The NTSB Has Its Timeline. You’re Allowed to Be Rattled on Yours.The companion piece, for pilots personally affected by an accident in the news and how to process their own reactions.
