A business jet carrying nine people nose-dived like a missile into a South Florida neighbourhood before exploding into a massive fireball on Sunday, killing everyone on board. The aircraft crashed near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County, around nine miles (14 km) from Mar-a-Lago, US President Donald Trump's resort in the wealthy enclave, narrowly missing nearby homes and creating a huge crater on a busy roadway.
Video footage recorded by people inside passing cars captured the terrifying moment the aircraft plunged from the sky and exploded on impact. Thick black smoke engulfed the crash site, while flames flickered around chunks of broken pavement.
People gathered near the site, expressing shock that the aircraft had crashed just feet from residential homes and inches from passing vehicles.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the deaths in a post on X, saying the crash occurred at around 12:50 pm ET. He described the incident as a "horrific tragedy" and said the aircraft had departed from Austin, Texas, and was headed to the Bahamas.
Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was sending a team to the scene to support the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) investigation into the cause of the crash. He also urged people to pray for the families and loved ones of those killed, adding that the FAA and the US Department of Transportation were closely monitoring the incident and would share updates as more information emerged.
Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed that the aircraft was privately operated. He identified its tail number as N722BD but said he could not immediately provide details about those aboard.
"This is definitely a tragedy," Reynolds said.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said the crash occurred on Military Trail, a six-lane road lined with businesses and eateries. The sheriff's office urged motorists to avoid the area and take alternative routes, while Palm Beach County Fire Rescue declared a "mass casualty incident" following the crash.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
CHILLING FINAL MOMENTS CAPTURED IN ATC AUDIO
Air traffic control audio, as reported by the New York Post, captured the panicked final moments aboard a private Learjet 60 as it plummeted to the ground near a South Florida mobile home park on Sunday, killing all nine people on board.
“Holy f–k, we’re out of time,” a female crew member is heard screaming to an air traffic controller shortly before the aircraft crashed around 1 pm.
Moments earlier, the pilot had reported moderate turbulence and “light, clear ice that is manageable” to the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center. The situation, however, rapidly deteriorated, prompting the crew to issue a mayday call.
“We’re descending 8,000 — mayday, mayday — we’re descending 10,000 feet per minute,” the pilot said. In another frantic transmission, the pilot reported, “We are in an overspeed condition, descending 20,000 feet per minute.”
“We’re going to crash into the ground,” the pilot said, followed by a scream.
The air traffic controller attempted to maintain contact with the aircraft, saying, “November two bravo delta, I’m here with you, talk to me.”
The crew member then reported a further alarming descent, saying, “We are descending 22,000 feet, and we are banking, 60 degrees we’re going outside,” before delivering the final haunting message.