Learjet Plunges Into Florida Roadway, Killing All Nine Aboard

A private jet descended from cruising altitude to the ground in a steep dive on Sunday, killing everyone on board in a crash near a busy roadway in Palm Beach County.

The Learjet 60 struck the ground at 12:50 p.m. in Greenacres, a city of 45,000 located about 7 miles southwest of West Palm Beach. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed on social media that all nine people aboard died. The aircraft had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was bound for the Bahamas.

Flight data and air traffic control recordings show the plane was heading east at 35,000 feet when pilots reported turbulence, icing, and precipitation. They requested permission to climb 2,000 feet. Minutes later, the aircraft entered a rapid descent, dropping 10,000 feet per minute, then 20,000 feet per minute, and finally 30,000 feet per minute. The speed exceeded the jet's design limits.

A pilot declared an emergency and issued distress calls while the plane banked sharply to the right. Radio communications captured the pilot reporting light ice and moderate turbulence before the situation deteriorated. The pilot later stated, "We are in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute," before adding, "We're going to crash into the ground."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths on the ground. He described the scene as a "cataclysmic plane crash" that looked like a missile descending, leaving a large crater on the roadside. Palm Beach County authorities evacuated approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community. The road remains closed until further notice.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with Federal Aviation Administration teams providing support. NTSB investigators arrived at the site Sunday and Monday. A media briefing is scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach. Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo noted that icing and turbulence could have caused the plane to stall, though investigators will consider all factors, including pilot response, before determining a cause.