A business Learjet crashed just before 1 p.m. EST in Cresthaven, Fla., near Palm Beach, after departing from Austin, Texas, according to The Hill. The outlet reported that the small aircraft crashed on Sunday and likely "partially broke apart in the air" before taking a nosedive, a federal investigator said Monday, according to The Associated Press.

BBC News reported that the National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, said crucial plane parts were found about three miles from the crash site. According to BBC News, the agency said the parts fell off before the crash because they were found so far from the accident site.

Fox News reported that NTSB investigators found the left tail elevator of the Learjet 60 scattered up to 3.8 miles from the crash site, pointing to an in-flight breakup. The same report carried the view of a former NTSB expert, who said pilots' push to level the jet may have torn off the key piece found miles from the crash.

The accounts differ in how firmly they describe the cause. The Hill's headline said the parts may have broken off, while BBC News reported the NTSB's position that they fell off before the crash. The former expert cited by Fox News framed the separation as a possibility rather than a conclusion.

The summaries from The Hill, BBC News and Fox News do not say how many people were aboard, whether anyone was hurt, or when the NTSB expects to release its findings.

Sources: BBC News: NTSB says crucial plane parts found three miles from Florida crash site; The Hill: Learjet’s parts may have broken off before Florida crash: Investigators; Fox News: Pilots' push to level jet may have torn off key piece found miles from Florida crash, former NTSB expert says.