A private jet crashed on Sunday in the residential area of Cresthaven located in Palm Beach County, Florida. The incident resulted in the deaths of all nine occupants of the jet.
Details of the Jet Crash
The commercial Learjet 60 rapidly descended towards the ground, and during the fall, a loud and terrifying sound was heard. Videos shared on social media show the aircraft plummeting at high speed towards a road and transforming into a fireball.
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The crash was so rapid and dangerous that passing drivers could hear it. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the crash as "a falling missile." Black and gray smoke from the explosion rose into the sky, endangering nearby homes.
Statements from Officials and Investigations
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the jet had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom Airport in Texas and was en route to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. The aircraft was flying at an altitude of 35,000 feet (about 10,660 meters) when the pilots reported turbulence, icing, and precipitation, requesting to climb to 2,000 feet (about 610 meters).
Immediately after this request, the plane rapidly descended, and according to air traffic control data, its descent rate reached 10,000 feet per minute and then 20,000 feet per minute. This speed exceeded the design limits of the jet.
In the final moments of the descent, the pilot's voice was heard on the Miami air traffic control recording saying: "Mayday, mayday, we are descending at 10,000 feet per minute." This person indicated an "emergency" status and announced that they were descending at 20,000 feet per minute. Ultimately, this individual said: "We are going down to the ground," followed by a scream before their last words were heard.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the incident occurred at 12:50 PM local time, describing it as "a horrific tragedy." Currently, the cause of the crash and the identities of the jet's occupants are unknown. The National Transportation Safety Board has begun its investigation into the incident.
So far, there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities on the ground. Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores announced at a press conference that approximately 600 people from the area have been evacuated and moved to two shelters.
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