Nine dead after business jet crashes in South Florida neighborhood

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed on social media that all nine people aboard a business jet died when the aircraft crashed in Palm Beach County on Sunday. The Learjet 60 struck the ground near Military Trail at 12:50 p.m., creating a large fireball and a crater in the roadway. Duffy described the incident as a horrific tragedy and noted that the Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team to assist the National Transportation Safety Board with its investigation.

Video recorded by residents and drivers showed the plane plunging from the sky moments before impact. The aircraft appeared to miss nearby homes by a small margin before exploding near a busy road. Thick black smoke rose from the site while debris scattered across the pavement. Bystanders gathered around the crater, observing the wreckage and the extent of the fire.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths among people on the ground. Speaking at the scene, he described the event as a cataclysmic plane crash that looked like a missile going down. DeSantis noted that the impact left a large crater on the side of the road. Local officials joined him to address the community regarding the debris and infrastructure damage.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office located the crash site in Greenacres, specifically between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North. Authorities evacuated approximately 600 people from a nearby mobile home community as a precaution. The affected road remains closed until further notice. The sheriff's office asked witnesses to call 561-688-3375 to provide information.

According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the jet departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas with a destination in the Bahamas. Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for the Austin airport, confirmed the aircraft was private but did not identify the passengers. The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch for the region due to excessive rainfall, which was in effect through Monday afternoon.

Air traffic control recordings indicate the flight was at 35,000 feet when the pilots reported turbulence, icing, and precipitation. The pilot requested a climb of 2,000 feet, noting light clear ice and moderate turbulence. The pilot stated the conditions were manageable at that time. However, the situation changed rapidly as the aircraft began to lose altitude.

Flight tracking data and control audio show the plane entered a steep dive, accelerating to 10,000 feet per minute, then 20,000 feet per minute, and finally 30,000 feet per minute. This speed exceeded the aircraft's design limits. The pilot declared an emergency and issued distress calls, banking sharply to the right before impact. The pilot radioed that the jet was descending 8,000 feet per minute and then 10,000 feet per minute while calling mayday.

The pilot later announced an overspeed condition at 20,000 feet per minute descent. In the final moments, the pilot stated, "We're going to crash into the ground." The aircraft had been jolted by turbulence of up to 700 feet according to earlier reports. Federal officials are currently investigating the cause of the crash and the identity of those on board.