9 Dead After Small Plane Crash Near Homes in Palm Beach County, Officials Say
Crash in a neighborhood
The Learjet 60 went down near Cresthaven at 12:50 p.m. Sunday and caught fire. Duffy said all nine people aboard died. The flight was headed to the Bahamas after leaving Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. Officials had not immediately said whether the crash injured anyone on the ground.
Video shows fiery impact
Social media video showed the plane descending sharply before it hit the ground and exploded into flames near a major road. The footage appeared to show the aircraft coming close to passing vehicles.
The crash tore a large crater into the pavement, with flames around a roadside utility pole. People nearby watched in shock as smoke rose past palm trees and homes.
Location near Mar-a-Lago
The crash site was roughly seven or eight miles from Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s club in Palm Beach. Trump was in Iowa for a midterms election rally.
Key points
- All nine people aboard the Learjet 60 died, according to Sean Duffy.
- The Bahamas-bound flight had departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas.
- The plane crashed near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County at 12:50 p.m. Sunday.
- Officials had not immediately determined whether anyone on the ground was injured.