Learjet 60 plunges from 35,000 feet into Greenacres, killing all nine aboard
The private jet, flying from Austin to the Bahamas, hit the ground after pilots reported severe icing and turbulence.
By Bianca Herrera ·
A private Learjet 60 crashed into a residential neighborhood in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday, killing all nine people on board. The aircraft descended rapidly from a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet before striking the ground near a busy roadway in Palm Beach County at 12:50 p.m. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the fatality count on social media, describing the incident as a "horrific tragedy." The jet was traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to the Bahamas.
Air traffic control recordings indicate the pilots encountered severe weather conditions just before the crash. The crew reported light, clear ice that was manageable, along with moderate turbulence that jolted the aircraft by as much as 700 feet. The pilots requested to climb an additional 2,000 feet to avoid the precipitation. Minutes later, the plane entered a steep dive, losing altitude at a rate that accelerated from 10,000 feet per minute to 30,000 feet per minute. This speed pushed the jet beyond its design limits.
"We’re descending 8,000, mayday, mayday - we’re descending 10,000 feet per minute," the pilot radioed to controllers as the situation deteriorated. The crew later declared an overspeed condition while descending at 20,000 feet per minute. "We’re going to crash into the ground," the pilot stated in a final transmission before the aircraft banked sharply to the right and impacted the earth. The plane disintegrated upon impact, creating a crater and a fireball that sparked intense flames.
Video footage captured by drivers showed the jet hitting the ground inches from passing vehicles and feet from nearby homes. Thick black smoke rose from the site as residents milled about in shock. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who visited the scene, said there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths among people on the ground. He described the impact as looking like a missile going down.
Palm Beach County authorities evacuated approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community. The roadway where the crash occurred remains closed until further notice. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are leading the investigation. NTSB investigators arrived at the scene on Sunday and Monday, with a media briefing scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach.
Steve Arroyo, an aviation safety expert, noted that icing and turbulence may have contributed to the crash, potentially causing the plane to stall at its cruising altitude of 34,000 feet. Authorities have not yet identified the specific cause of the incident or the identities of the passengers. Rain continued to fall in the region on Sunday, with a flood watch in effect through Monday afternoon due to excessive rainfall.
