Learjet Crashes Into Palm Beach County Homes, Killing All Nine Aboard

A Learjet 60 carrying nine people crashed into a residential area in Palm Beach County on Sunday afternoon. The aircraft, which originated at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed for the Bahamas, hit the ground just before 1 p.m. according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Officials confirmed that everyone on board died in the impact.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the public at a news conference, stating that no one on the ground was injured. He described the scene as a massive explosion with debris flying in all directions. Local authorities reported that roughly 600 people were evacuated from the crash site, which is located near a mobile home park in Cresthaven. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the total loss of life on social media and asked the public to pray for the families of the victims.

Air traffic control recordings captured the final moments of the flight. The pilot informed the tower that the jet was descending at a rate of 10,000 feet per minute. The pilot then declared an emergency, stating the aircraft was in an overspeed condition and descending at 20,000 feet per minute. In the final seconds of communication, the pilot told the tower, "We're gonna crash .. We're out of time."

The National Transportation Safety Board announced the deployment of a go-team to investigate the cause of the crash. Investigators were scheduled to arrive on Sunday evening and again on Monday morning. Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, identified the aircraft as a private jet but did not provide immediate details on the passengers' identities. He described the event as a definite tragedy.

Residents and drivers captured video of the jet plunging from the sky. The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office closed all northbound and southbound lanes of Military Trail near Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North. The closures were set to remain in place until further notice while cleanup and investigation efforts continued.

The crash site is in the Cresthaven area of Palm Beach County. The FAA stated the aircraft left Texas and was bound for the Bahamas. The cause of the crash had not been determined as of the latest reports.