Learjet 60 Plunges From Sky, Killing All Nine in South Florida
The private jet entered a steep dive after pilots reported icing and turbulence, striking the ground near a busy roadway in Greenacres.
By Julian Schulz ·
A Learjet 60 carrying nine passengers and crew crashed in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday, killing everyone on board. The aircraft struck the ground near a busy roadway in Palm Beach County, creating a large crater and a fireball that threatened nearby homes. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the death toll in a post on X, describing the incident as a horrific tragedy.
The jet was traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to the Bahamas when it lost altitude. According to air traffic control recordings, the pilots reported encountering turbulence, icing, and precipitation while cruising at 35,000 feet. They requested permission to climb an additional 2,000 feet to escape the conditions. Minutes later, the plane entered a steep dive, descending at rates that reached 30,000 feet per minute. This speed exceeded the design limits of the aircraft, according to flight tracking data and controller logs.
The pilot declared an emergency and issued distress calls during the descent. In one transmission, the pilot stated that the aircraft was descending at 10,000 feet per minute. As the situation worsened, the pilot radioed that the jet was in an overspeed condition, descending at 20,000 feet per minute. The pilot then acknowledged the likely outcome by stating, "We're going to crash into the ground." The aircraft banked sharply to the right before it impacted the ground. Video from nearby drivers captured the plane plunging from the sky and exploding just feet from residential structures.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths among people on the ground. He described the scene as a cataclysmic event that looked like a missile striking the road. Rain was falling in the region at the time of the crash. The National Weather Service had a flood watch in effect through Monday afternoon due to excessive rainfall. Palm Beach County authorities evacuated approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community while federal investigators examined the site. The roadway was closed until further notice.
The crash site is in Greenacres, a city of 45,000 people located about seven miles southwest of West Palm Beach. Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, identified the aircraft as a private jet. He did not release the names of the individuals on the flight. Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo suggested that icing and turbulence may have contributed to the crash. He noted that these factors could have caused the plane to stall while cruising at 34,000 feet. The National Transportation Safety Board will consider all potential factors, including the pilot's response to the reported weather conditions. The FAA is sending a team to support the NTSB investigation. Investigators were expected at the crash site on Sunday and Monday. A media briefing is scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach.
