A business jet has crashed into a residential neighbourhood in Florida, United States, killing all nine people on board and triggering a fire, mass evacuation and a major investigation.
The US Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, confirmed the fatalities after the Learjet 60 crashed near Cresthaven, about nine miles from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach County, at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time on Sunday.
The aircraft had departed Austin, Texas, and was heading to the Bahamas when the crash occurred, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Images from the scene showed a large crater on Military Trail, a six-lane road, with flames and aircraft debris scattered across the area. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries among residents or other people on the ground.
Flight-tracking data indicated that the aircraft was descending rapidly before the crash, with its descent rate reaching thousands of feet per minute.
Air traffic control recordings reportedly captured the crew discussing moderate turbulence, ice and precipitation as they attempted to manage the aircraft.
One crew member was heard reporting that the aircraft was picking up precipitation and that they needed to climb. Moments later, the crew reported a rapid descent, with the aircraft dropping at approximately 10,000 feet per minute.
The pilots subsequently declared an emergency. One of them reportedly told air traffic control that the aircraft was in an overspeed condition while descending at about 20,000 feet per minute.
Another transmission captured a pilot warning that the aircraft was about to crash, while the final cockpit communication, about 35 seconds after the initial emergency announcement, was reportedly, “We’re out of time.”
Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, described footage of the incident circulating on social media as disturbing, likening the aircraft’s descent to that of a missile before a massive explosion.
DeSantis said authorities had not received reports of casualties on the ground but disclosed that about 600 residents of a nearby mobile-home community were being evacuated as a precaution.
Local officials said the impact damaged critical infrastructure, including water lines, while Military Trail could remain closed for at least 30 days.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue declared a mass casualty incident as emergency responders worked at the crash site.
Duffy described the incident as a horrific tragedy, adding that the FAA was deploying a team to support the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which will lead the investigation.
He also called for prayers for the families and loved ones of those who died.
Thunderstorms were reported in the area around the time of the crash, with heavy rainfall continuing during the governor’s news conference.
Although investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s final flight, cockpit communications and prevailing weather conditions, authorities have yet to establish the cause of the crash or publicly identify the nine victims.
President Donald Trump had been at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday morning and departed from a nearby airport aboard Air Force One about an hour before the incident.
