Learjet Plunges Into Florida Neighborhood, Killing All Nine Aboard

Nine people died when a private jet crashed into a South Florida neighborhood on Sunday.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the fatalities in a post on X. He described the incident as a horrific tragedy. The aircraft, a Learjet 60, crashed at 12:50 p.m. local time in Palm Beach County. Duffy stated that the Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team to assist the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.

The jet had left Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. Its destination was the Bahamas, according to FAA records. Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for the Austin airport, confirmed the aircraft was private. He noted that authorities had not immediately released the identities of those on board. Reynolds called the event a tragedy but could not provide further details on the passengers.

Witnesses inside nearby cars filmed the jet plunging from the sky. The aircraft struck the ground near a roadway and exploded. Video footage showed flames flickering around pavement chunks near a crater. Thick black smoke covered the crash site. People expressed shock that the plane landed feet from homes and inches from passing vehicles. It remained unclear whether the impact damaged any houses.

The crash occurred near the intersection of Military Trail and 10th Avenue North. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office closed roads in both directions. They urged motorists to avoid the area while emergency personnel worked the scene. A woman working nearby reported that electricity in the vicinity had been out for about two hours after the crash. Investigators continued to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.