A private business jet carrying nine people crashed into a residential neighborhood in Palm Beach County on Sunday afternoon. Federal and local authorities confirmed that everyone aboard the aircraft died at the scene.
Authorities identified the aircraft as a twin-engine Learjet 60. It departed from Austin, Texas, and was en route to the Bahamas when it went down around 12:50 p.m.
Witnesses saw the plane plunge suddenly near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North. It narrowly missed nearby homes before slamming into the ground and exploding into a huge fireball.
The violent impact left a large crater along the roadside and scattered debris across several neighborhood streets. Thick black smoke quickly covered the surrounding area.
Governor Ron DeSantis praised local first responders during an on-site press briefing on Sunday afternoon. He confirmed there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries among people on the ground.
Officials evacuated roughly 600 residents from the adjacent neighborhood as a safety precaution. The American Red Cross stepped in quickly to provide temporary shelter and food for displaced families.
Both northbound and southbound lanes of Military Trail remain completely shut down to traffic. Sheriff deputies directed motorists to seek alternate travel routes throughout the evening.
Power lines went down during the incident, leaving parts of the surrounding community without electricity for hours. Utility crews continue working to restore power safely.
Air traffic control audio revealed the pilot reported ice and turbulence shortly before declaring an emergency. Weather radar indicated passing rain, lightning, and wind gusts near 25 mph around that time.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration. An NTSB go-team will arrive to survey the wreckage site. A formal media briefing is scheduled for Monday morning in West Palm Beach.
Sources Used
- CBS 58 – 9 killed after a Learjet crashes and erupts into flames in Palm Beach County, Florida
- FOX 13 Tampa Bay – Florida plane crash: 9 dead after Learjet crashes in Palm Beach County, officials say
- CBC News – All 9 aboard killed after plane crashes in Florida, officials say
- Boston 25 News – All 9 people died on a jet that crashed into a Florida neighborhood
- Nacionale – Nine dead as Learjet crashes in Palm Beach County, Florida
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