Learjet 60 crashes in Florida, killing all nine aboard

All nine people on board a private jet died when the aircraft crashed into a residential area in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the fatalities in a post on X, describing the event as a horrific tragedy. The Learjet 60 struck the ground at 12:50 p.m.

The jet was traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to the Bahamas. Air traffic control data shows the aircraft was cruising at 35,000 feet when pilots reported turbulence, icing, and precipitation. The pilot requested to climb an additional 2,000 feet. Minutes later, the plane entered a steep dive, accelerating from 10,000 feet per minute to 30,000 feet per minute.

Pilot radio transmissions captured by LiveATC.net show the crew declaring an emergency as the aircraft lost altitude rapidly. One transmission stated, "We're descending 10,000 feet per minute." A second transmission reported an overspeed condition at 20,000 feet per minute, followed by the statement, "We're going to crash into the ground." The plane banked sharply to the right before impact.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths on the ground. He described the scene to reporters as a cataclysmic plane crash that looked like a missile going down. A large crater remains on the side of the road where the jet struck. Thick black smoke rose from the site, and flames burned around chunks of pavement.

Palm Beach County authorities evacuated approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community. The roadway near the crash site in Greenacres remains closed until further notice. Greenacres is a city of 45,000 people located about 7 miles southwest of West Palm Beach. Video recorded by drivers showed the aircraft plunging from the sky just feet from homes and inches from passing vehicles.

Weather conditions at the time included heavy rain. The National Weather Service had a flood watch in effect through Monday afternoon due to excessive rainfall. Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo noted that icing and turbulence could have contributed to the crash. He suggested these factors may have caused the plane to stall while cruising at 34,000 feet. Investigators will consider how the pilot responded to the reported conditions.

The Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team to support the National Transportation Safety Board investigation. NTSB investigators arrived at the crash site on Sunday and Monday. A media briefing is scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach. Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed the jet was a private aircraft but did not immediately provide details on the passengers.