A business jet carrying nine people crashed into a South Florida neighborhood Sunday afternoon, killing everyone on board, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed. The Learjet 60 went down around 12:50 p.m. near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North in Palm Beach County, erupting into a large fireball that scorched pavement and sent thick black smoke into the air.
The aircraft had departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to the Bahamas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Airport spokesperson Jim Reynolds confirmed it was a private aircraft but could not provide details on the passengers. Video captured by witnesses showed the jet plunging from the sky and striking near a busy roadway, narrowly missing homes and passing vehicles.
Duffy described the crash as a "horrific tragedy" in a post on X and said the FAA is sending a team to support the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation into the cause. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the aircraft to go down or released the identities of those on board.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office closed roads in both directions around the crash site and urged motorists to avoid the area. Firefighters and emergency personnel rushed to the scene, where a nearby worker reported electricity had been out for approximately two hours following the impact.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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