Pilots In SC Learjet Crash Heard Noise, Hit Brakes

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The pilots of a Learjet that hurtled off a South Carolina runway realized something was wrong just seconds before the fiery crash that killed them and two others and injured two celebrities.

The National Transportation Safety Board on Friday released a transcript of the conversation between Sarah Lemmon and James Bland. They heard several clicks and slammed on the brakes in an attempt to avoid taking off from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

The jet ran off the end of the runway just before midnight Sept. 19. Lemmon, Bland and two others were killed. Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and celebrity DJ AM were injured.

Investigators have said there was little rubber left on the jet’s wheels, and the brakes were badly damaged.