A Learjet 60 carrying nine people crashed into a residential neighbourhood in South Florida on Sunday, killing everyone on board after plunging from an altitude of 35,000 feet and striking the ground near a busy road. The Bahamas-bound private jet exploded into a fireball, leaving a large crater and scattering debris across the area.
The crash occurred at around 12.50 pm local time in the Greenacres area of Palm Beach County, near the Cresthaven community. Video recorded by motorists showed the aircraft nose-diving towards the ground before bursting into flames. Burning debris and thick black smoke engulfed the crash site, which was only a short distance from homes and passing vehicles.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the deaths in a post on X, describing the incident as a "horrific tragedy". He said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would send a team to assist the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) with its investigation.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of anyone on the ground being injured or killed.
"It was a cataclysmic plane crash," DeSantis told reporters at the scene. "It looked like a missile going down and left a big crater on the side of the road."
Pilot reported icing and turbulence before emergency
The aircraft had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, according to the FAA. It was flying east at approximately 35,000 feet, or about 11 kilometres, when the pilots reported turbulence, icing and precipitation and requested permission to climb another 2,000 feet.
Air traffic control recordings captured by LiveATC.net indicated that the pilot had reported ice accumulating on the aircraft and turbulence that was jolting it by as much as 700 feet, or 213 metres, shortly before the crash.
"We have light, clear ice that is manageable and moderate turbulence," the pilot told air traffic controllers.
The situation deteriorated rapidly after the aircraft encountered precipitation. The pilots requested to climb, but the jet soon began losing altitude at an alarming rate.
A pilot declared an emergency and issued distress calls as the aircraft entered a steep dive. According to air traffic control recordings and flight-tracking data, its descent rate initially reached 10,000 feet per minute, then increased to 20,000 feet per minute and eventually approached 30,000 feet per minute. The aircraft also exceeded its design limits.
"We're descending 8,000, mayday, mayday, we're descending 10,000 feet per minute," the pilot radioed.
"We are in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute," the pilot said in another transmission, before warning: "We're going to crash into the ground."
The aircraft banked sharply to the right before hitting the ground. Flight-tracking data indicated that its descent rate briefly exceeded 32,000 feet per minute.
Around 600 residents evacuated from nearby community
The crash site was near a mobile home community, prompting Palm Beach County authorities to arrange the evacuation of approximately 600 residents. Officials worked to provide temporary shelter for those displaced by the incident.
The crash occurred near Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North. The road was closed in both directions, with county officials asking motorists to avoid the area until further notice.
The aircraft's impact left a large crater beside the roadway, while flames and debris spread across the surrounding area. Residents and motorists gathered nearby as emergency personnel responded to the crash.
Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed that the jet was a private aircraft but could not immediately provide details about those on board. Authorities had not released the identities of the nine victims or clarified how many were passengers and how many were crew members.
Federal investigation underway
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash, with the latter leading the probe. The aircraft's manufacturer, Bombardier, said it would co-operate with investigators.
Heavy rain was reported across South Florida on Sunday. The National Weather Service had issued a flood watch for the region because of excessive rainfall, which was in effect until Monday afternoon.
Authorities have not established whether the weather conditions contributed to the crash. The investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the aircraft's rapid loss of altitude and the emergency calls made by the pilot.