9 dead after jet nosedives and erupts in fireball near busy roadway in South Florida
Crash near homes and traffic
The business jet plunged into a South Florida neighborhood on Sunday and burst into flames near a roadway in Palm Beach County. Video from people inside cars showed the aircraft falling before impact, while smoke rose from the crash site.
The plane hit only a short distance from homes and passing vehicles, according to people at the scene. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said officials had no immediate reports of ground casualties.
Flight deteriorated rapidly
The aircraft had left Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and was bound for the Bahamas, the FAA said. It was flying east at 35,000 feet when the pilots reported turbulence, icing and precipitation, then asked to climb another 2,000 feet.
Air traffic control recordings and flight data show the jet descending at sharply increasing rates, reaching as much as 30,000 feet per minute. A pilot declared an emergency and reported that the aircraft was in an overspeed condition before saying, “We’re going to crash into the ground,” according to the recordings.
Investigation and local response
Duffy said the Learjet 60 crashed at 12:50 p.m. and described the event as a “horrific tragedy.” The FAA is sending a team to assist the National Transportation Safety Board, whose investigators were expected at the site Sunday and Monday.
Palm Beach County authorities were evacuating about 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community. Officials said the road would remain closed until further notice, and the NTSB scheduled a media briefing in West Palm Beach for Monday.
Cause remains unknown
Authorities had not identified the people aboard or determined why the jet went down. Jim Reynolds, an Austin-Bergstrom International Airport spokesperson, said it was a private aircraft but could not provide further passenger details.
Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo said icing and turbulence could have contributed, including possibly causing a stall. He said investigators would consider the pilot’s response and other possibilities, without ruling out any factors at this early stage.
Key points
- All nine people aboard the Learjet 60 died, Sean Duffy said.
- The plane crashed near homes and a busy roadway in Greenacres, Florida.
- The pilot reported icing and turbulence before the aircraft entered a rapid descent.
- About 600 people were being evacuated as federal investigators examined the crash.