A business jet tragically went down in a residential neighborhood in Palm Beach County, Florida, killing all nine individuals aboard on Sunday afternoon.
This twin-engine aircraft, identified as a Learjet 60 and registered as N722BD, took off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas that same day, heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. It crashed near Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North, just before 1 p.m. Eastern Time, as reported by local outlet Fox 13.
The crash’s impact created a significant crater in the roadway, scattering debris widely and generating a large fireball. Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis, who addressed reporters at the scene, noted the impact’s severity, comparing the descent to that of a missile.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the fatalities for all nine aboard, though no deaths or injuries have been reported for individuals on the ground as a result of the crash. Nevertheless, approximately 600 residents nearby were temporarily evacuated as authorities evaluated the site and the surrounding area.
Small fires following the crash were quickly extinguished, and power disruptions affected parts of the neighborhood during the emergency response.
WATCH: New video shows Learjet 60 business jet crashing near West Palm Beach, Florida.
The plane was completely disintegrated upon impact. Number of casualties unknown. pic.twitter.com/l5JT9KEWnQ
— BNO News (@BNONews) November 1, 2026
Air traffic control recordings from LiveATC.net revealed that, shortly before the crash, the flight crew reported manageable ice accumulation and mild turbulence that caused the aircraft to bounce significantly. They subsequently requested to climb to a safer altitude but soon declared an emergency due to a rapid descent.
Data indicates that just before the crash, the plane was at cruising altitude and attempted a steep right turn, descending at rates that exceeded 30,000 feet per minute just before the data transmission ceased. Earlier on, the plane had navigated near thunderstorms in South Florida, where rain and scattered storms were reported under a flood watch.
The Federal Aviation Administration alongside the National Transportation Safety Board is actively investigating the incident, with the NTSB leading the charge. Currently, the cause of the crash is under scrutiny, and it remains uncertain whether weather played a role.
Further information regarding the crash is anticipated as the investigation continues.
