Learjet crashes near busy Florida road, killing all nine aboard
The aircraft plunged from 35,000 feet after pilots reported icing and turbulence, leaving a crater near a mobile home park in Greenacres.
By Marta Gray ·
A private Learjet 60 crashed into a residential area in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday, killing all nine people on board. The business jet descended rapidly before striking the ground near a busy roadway in Palm Beach County. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the death toll in a post on X.
The aircraft was traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to the Bahamas. It was cruising at an altitude of 35,000 feet when the incident began. Air traffic control recordings indicate the pilots encountered severe weather conditions. They reported light clear ice and moderate turbulence that jolted the plane by as much as 700 feet.
The pilots requested to climb an additional 2,000 feet to clear the precipitation. Minutes later, the jet entered a steep dive. Flight data shows the descent rate increased from 10,000 feet per minute to 30,000 feet per minute. This speed pushed the aircraft beyond its design limits. The plane banked sharply to the right before impact.
The pilot issued distress calls as the situation deteriorated. One transmission recorded the jet descending 8,000 feet per minute while declaring a mayday. The pilot later radioed that the aircraft was in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute. The final recorded statement acknowledged that the plane was going to crash into the ground.
Video captured by drivers on the roadway shows the jet plunging from the sky. The impact created a large crater and a fireball that appeared to miss nearby homes by feet. Thick black smoke rose from the site as onlookers gathered. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited the scene and described the event as a cataclysmic plane crash. He noted that the aircraft looked like a missile going down and left a big crater on the side of the road.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation with support from the Federal Aviation Administration. NTSB investigators were expected to arrive at the site on Sunday and Monday. A media briefing is scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach.
Steve Arroyo, an aviation safety expert, stated 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. Arroyo noted that investigators will consider how the pilot responded to the reported conditions. No factors will be ruled out at this early stage.
Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed the jet was a private aircraft. He could not immediately provide details on the passengers or crew. The Federal Aviation Administration did not release the names of the individuals on board. The crash site is located in Greenacres, a city of 45,000 people situated about seven miles southwest of West Palm Beach.
Palm Beach County authorities evacuated approximately 600 residents from a mobile home community near the crash site. The roadway adjacent to the impact zone remains closed until further notice. A flood watch was in effect for the region due to excessive rainfall through Monday afternoon. The National Weather Service reported that rain pounded the area on Sunday.
The crash occurred at 12:50 p.m. local time. Duffy called the incident a horrific tragedy in his initial post. The FAA sent a team to assist with the on-site work. Local officials continue to manage the evacuation and secure the area. The investigation remains in its initial phase as experts examine the wreckage and flight data.
