Learjet crashes into Greenacres neighborhood, killing all nine on board

All nine people aboard a business jet were killed after the aircraft crashed into a residential area in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday at 12:50 p.m.

The Learjet 60, which departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to the Bahamas, struck the ground near a busy roadway in Palm Beach County. The impact created a large crater and a fireball that appeared to miss nearby homes. Thick black smoke rose from the site as residents and drivers reacted to the scene.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the death toll and described the incident as a horrific tragedy. He stated that the Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team to assist the National Transportation Safety Board with its investigation. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reported that there were no immediate signs of injuries or deaths on the ground, though he called the event a cataclysmic plane crash that left a big crater on the side of the road.

Weather conditions in the region included heavy rain and a flood watch that remained in effect through Monday afternoon. Air traffic control recordings and flight data indicate the jet was flying east at 35,000 feet when pilots reported turbulence, icing, and precipitation. The pilot requested to climb an additional 2,000 feet before the plane entered a steep dive.

According to the recordings, the aircraft descended at a rate that increased from 10,000 to 30,000 feet per minute, exceeding its design speed limits. The pilot declared an emergency and issued distress calls, noting light clear ice and moderate turbulence that jolted the plane by up to 700 feet. In final communications, the pilot stated the jet was in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute and acknowledged the aircraft was going to crash into the ground before it banked sharply to the right.

Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, identified the jet as a private aircraft but did not immediately release the names of those on board. Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo suggested that icing and turbulence could have contributed to the crash, potentially causing the plane to stall while cruising. He noted that investigators will consider all potential factors, including the pilot's response to the reported conditions.

Palm Beach County authorities evacuated approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community. The roadway remains closed until further notice. NTSB investigators were expected at the site on Sunday and Monday, with a media briefing scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach.