WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A tragic accident occurred on Sunday when a business jet, carrying nine people, crashed nose-first into a neighborhood in South Florida, resulting in a massive fireball. The aircraft narrowly avoided hitting nearby homes and busy streets, but unfortunately, all individuals onboard lost their lives, as confirmed by the U.S. Transportation Secretary.
Eyewitnesses recorded the horrifying moment when the Bahamas-bound Learjet 60 plummeted from the sky, striking close to Palm Beach County roadways and bursting into flames. Footage revealed flames engulfing debris and thick black smoke filling the air, creating a scene of chaos as onlookers expressed their disbelief at how close the crash came to residential areas and passing cars.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy labeled the incident a “horrific tragedy” on social media, announcing that a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) team would assist the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the investigation.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reported that, thankfully, there were no immediate injuries or fatalities among people on the ground. “It was a cataclysmic plane crash,” he stated, describing the aircraft’s descent as resembling a missile and noting the significant crater it left on impact.
The crash took place amidst heavy rainfall in the region, with a flood watch in effect due to the excessive rain. The jet had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was en route to the Bahamas when disaster struck.
As the aircraft was cruising at 35,000 feet, the pilots reported experiencing turbulence, icing, and precipitation, leading them to request a climb of another 2,000 feet. Shortly thereafter, the situation escalated dramatically as the aircraft entered a steep dive, plummeting at rates of up to 30,000 feet per minute, far exceeding its design limits, according to air traffic control data.
A distress call was made by the pilot, who reported severe icing and turbulence just moments before the crash. “We’re descending 8,000 – mayday, mayday – we’re descending 10,000 feet per minute,” the pilot communicated, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed that the jet was a private aircraft but did not provide details about the passengers. Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo suggested that the icing and turbulence might have led to the plane stalling while cruising, contributing to the crash.
Investigators from the NTSB were expected to arrive at the crash site soon, and a media briefing has been scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach. In response to the disaster, local authorities evacuated around 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community, and the area surrounding the crash site will remain closed as the investigation unfolds.
The crash took place in Greenacres, Florida, a city located approximately 7 miles (11 kilometers) southwest of West Palm Beach, home to around 45,000 people. As the investigation continues, the focus will be on determining the factors that led to this tragic event.
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Taxin reported from Santa Ana, California. AP Transportation Writer Josh Funk contributed from Gretna, Nebraska.
