Learjet Plunges From 35,000 Feet To Kill Nine In Greenacres
A private jet crashed into a Florida roadway on Sunday after pilots reported severe ice and turbulence, killing all occupants while authorities evacuated 600 nearby residents.
By Natalia Costa ·
A Learjet 60 crashed into a busy roadway in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday, killing all nine people on board. The private aircraft descended from 35,000 feet and struck the ground near Palm Beach County, creating a large fireball and a crater in the pavement. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the deaths on social media, describing the event as a horrific tragedy.
Air traffic control recordings indicate the plane was heading east from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to the Bahamas. While cruising, the pilots reported encountering precipitation, icing, and turbulence that jolted the aircraft by up to 700 feet. The pilot requested to climb an additional 2,000 feet before the situation deteriorated rapidly.
According to flight tracking data, the jet entered a steep dive that accelerated to 30,000 feet per minute. The pilot declared an emergency and issued distress calls, stating the aircraft was in an overspeed condition. Minutes before impact, the pilot radioed, "We're going to crash into the ground." The plane banked sharply to the right before smashing into the area near the roadway.
Video captured by drivers showed the aircraft plunging from the sky and exploding. Flames surrounded chunks of pavement, and thick black smoke rose from the site. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths on the ground. He described the scene to reporters, noting it looked like a missile going down.
Palm Beach County authorities evacuated approximately 600 people from a nearby mobile home community. The roadway remains closed until further notice. The crash occurred in Greenacres, a city of 45,000 located about 7 miles southwest of West Palm Beach. A flood watch was in effect in the region on Sunday due to excessive rainfall.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with federal aviation teams providing support. NTSB investigators arrived at the site over the weekend, and a media briefing is scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach. Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo noted that icing and turbulence may have caused the plane to stall, though investigators are considering all potential factors.
Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed the jet was a private aircraft. Authorities did not immediately release the names of the individuals on the flight or the specific cause of the crash.
