Learjet 60 Crash Kills All Nine After Rapid Descent Near Palm Beach Roadway

All nine people aboard a private Learjet 60 died when the aircraft crashed into a South Florida neighborhood on Sunday.

The jet was traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to the Bahamas when it struck the ground in Greenacres, a city of 45,000 located roughly 7 miles southwest of West Palm Beach. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the death toll via X, describing the incident as a horrific tragedy. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with the Federal Aviation Administration providing support.

Air traffic control recordings indicate the plane was flying east at 35,000 feet when the crew encountered adverse weather conditions. Minutes before the crash, the pilot reported light clear ice and moderate turbulence that jolted the aircraft by up to 700 feet. The crew requested to climb another 2,000 feet to escape the precipitation. Shortly after this request, the aircraft entered a steep dive. Flight tracking data shows the descent rate accelerated from 10,000 feet per minute to 20,000 feet per minute, and finally to 30,000 feet per minute. This speed exceeded the jet's design limits.

The pilot declared an emergency and issued distress calls as the plane banked sharply to the right. During the final moments, the crew communicated the rapid loss of altitude to controllers. The pilot stated, We're descending 8,000, mayday, mayday, we're descending 10,000 feet per minute. As the situation worsened, the pilot radioed that the aircraft was in an overspeed condition, descending 20,000 feet per minute. The final transmission acknowledged the inevitable outcome: We're going to crash into the ground.

Witnesses in nearby vehicles captured video of the jet plunging from the sky and erupting in a fireball. The impact occurred near a busy roadway, leaving a crater in the pavement. Thick black smoke rose from the site as residents expressed shock that the plane landed feet from homes and inches from passing traffic. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths on the ground. He described the scene as a cataclysmic plane crash that looked like a missile going down.

Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo noted that icing and turbulence could have contributed to the accident. He suggested these factors may have caused the plane to stall while cruising at 34,000 feet. The NTSB will examine all potential factors, including the pilot's response to the reported weather conditions. Investigators have not ruled out any specific cause at this early stage.

Rain continued to fall in the region on Sunday, with the National Weather Service maintaining a flood watch through Monday afternoon due to excessive rainfall. Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, identified the aircraft as a private jet but did not release details about the passengers or crew.

Palm Beach County authorities evacuated approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community while federal officials conducted their investigation. County officials stated that the roadway will remain closed until further notice. The NTSB expects investigators to be at the crash site on Sunday and Monday. A media briefing is scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach.