Learjet 60 Kills Nine in Palm Beach County Crash

Nine people died when a Learjet 60 plummeted from the sky and crashed near a busy road in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday. The aircraft was traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to the Bahamas when it struck the ground in the city of Greenacres at 12:50 p.m. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the death toll on social media, describing the event as a horrific tragedy. The crash site is located in a neighborhood where thick black smoke engulfed the area and flames flickered around pavement chunks lining a crater.

The jet was flying east at an altitude of 35,000 feet when the pilots reported encountering turbulence, icing, and precipitation. They requested permission to climb an additional 2,000 feet. Air traffic control recordings show the pilot stated they had light, clear ice that was manageable and moderate turbulence. Minutes later, the situation deteriorated rapidly. The aircraft entered a steep dive, dropping at a rate of 10,000 feet per minute, then accelerating to 20,000 feet per minute, and finally reaching 30,000 feet per minute. This speed pushed the plane beyond its design limits.

The pilot declared an emergency and issued distress calls over the radio. The captain reported an overspeed condition while descending at 20,000 feet per minute. In a final transmission, the pilot stated the aircraft was going to crash into the ground. The jet banked sharply to the right before it impacted the earth. Video footage from cars on the nearby roadway captured the moment the plane struck the ground just feet from homes and inches from passing vehicles. Governor Ron DeSantis described the scene to reporters, noting it looked like a missile going down and left a big crater on the side of the road.

Rain was falling heavily on the region at the time of the crash. The National Weather Service had a flood watch in effect through Monday afternoon due to excessive rainfall. Palm Beach County authorities are currently evacuating approximately 600 residents from a mobile home community near the crash site. The roadway where the jet landed remains closed until further notice. The city of Greenacres has a population of 45,000 and sits about seven miles southwest of West Palm Beach.

The Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team to support the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation. The NTSB expects its investigators to arrive at the scene on Sunday and Monday. A media briefing is scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach. Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo said icing and turbulence could have contributed to the crash by causing the plane to stall while cruising. The NTSB will consider how the pilot responded to the weather conditions reported over the radio.

Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, identified the jet as a private aircraft. He did not provide immediate details on the identities of the people on board. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths among people on the ground.

The crash occurred in Greenacres, Florida, according to Palm Beach County sheriff's officials. The National Transportation Safety Board investigators will examine the wreckage and flight data to determine the cause. The road closure will remain in place while federal officials conduct their work at the site.