Private Jet Crashes Into Palm Beach Neighborhood, Killing Nine
A Learjet 60 slammed into a road in Cresthaven after entering a storm, forcing the evacuation of roughly 600 residents from a nearby mobile home park.
By Daphne Turner ·
Nine people died on Sunday when a private jet crashed into a residential area in south Florida.
The aircraft struck the ground at 12:50 p.m. near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Duffy described the event as a horrible tragedy. The crash site is located at the entrance of a mobile home park along Military Trail.
Videos from the scene show the plane descending rapidly before impact. The collision created a large fireball and left a crater on the side of the road. Witnesses gathered around the site to film the aftermath or comfort neighbors. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office reported that debris spread across the area, damaging local infrastructure and forcing road closures.
Officials are evacuating approximately 600 residents from the affected mobile home community. These residents will be housed in two county shelters while federal agents investigate the crash. Governor Ron DeSantis stated at a press conference that no people on the ground had been reported killed or injured at that time. He noted that the aircraft appeared to fall like a missile and that debris was scattered over a wide distance. DeSantis warned that some utility services might be suspended due to the damage.
Meteorological data suggests the jet entered the core of a thunderstorm near Wellington minutes before the crash. Tracking data from Live Storm Chasers indicates the plane climbed about 450 feet into the storm core. It then entered a spiral descent and hit the ground 76 seconds later. Air traffic control recordings obtained by LiveATC.net show the pilot reported light clear ice and moderate turbulence shortly before the accident. The pilot described the ice as manageable and the turbulence as moderate.
The situation worsened quickly as the pilot requested a climb after detecting precipitation. The pilot declared an emergency as the plane began losing altitude rapidly. Radio communications captured the pilot reporting a descent rate of 8,000 feet per minute, followed by a call of mayday and a rate of 10,000 feet per minute. The pilot later reported an overspeed condition with a descent rate of 20,000 feet per minute. The final transmission warned that the aircraft was going to hit the ground.
Authorities have not released the names of those aboard. The plane is confirmed to be a private Learjet 60. The affected stretch of Military Trail is expected to remain closed for 30 days. Local officials will establish alternate routes for traffic during that period.
