Learjet 60 Crashes in Palm Beach County, Killing All Nine Aboard
Aircraft descended at 30,000 feet per minute after reporting icing and turbulence before impacting near a highway in Greenacres.
By Noor Phillips ·
Nine people died when a Learjet 60 crashed into a residential area in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday at 12:50 p.m. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the fatalities on X, describing the incident as a horrible tragedy. The jet was en route from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to the Bahamas.
Air traffic control recordings captured the rapid deterioration of the flight. The pilots reported encountering clear and light icing alongside moderate turbulence while flying east at 35,000 feet. They requested a 2,000-foot altitude increase due to the weather conditions. Minutes later, the aircraft entered a steep descent that exceeded its design limits.
Telemetry data and radio transmissions show the plane dropped at a rate of 10,000 feet per minute, accelerating to 20,000 feet and finally reaching 30,000 feet per minute. The pilot declared an emergency and issued mayday calls. The jet tilted sharply to the right before striking the ground abruptly near a busy roadway.
Video recorded by motorists shows the aircraft falling from the sky and exploding in a ball of fire. The impact created a large crater beside the road, with flames flickering around broken asphalt. Thick black smoke enveloped the scene. Witnesses noted the plane missed nearby homes by a narrow margin.
Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the site and told reporters the crash appeared like a missile descending. He stated there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths on the ground. Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed the jet was a private aircraft but could not identify the passengers immediately.
Local authorities evacuated approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community while federal investigators began their work. Palm Beach County officials kept the roadway closed pending further assessment. The National Weather Service maintained a flood warning for the region due to heavy rains that continued into Monday afternoon.
The crash occurred in the city of Greenacres, a community of 45,000 people located seven miles southwest of West Palm Beach. The Federal Aviation Administration will support the National Transportation Safety Board in determining the cause of the crash and identifying the individuals on board.
