Nine killed as Learjet 60 crashes in Palm Beach County neighborhood
The business jet, en route from Texas to the Bahamas, struck a roadway near Cresthaven at 12:50 p.m., prompting an NTSB investigation.
By Lauren Bello ·
Nine people died when a LearJet 60 crashed into a residential area in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday. The aircraft struck a roadway near Cresthaven at approximately 12:50 p.m. ET. Federal officials confirmed that all nine individuals on board were killed in the accident.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the total loss of life on the plane. In a social media post, Duffy stated that the Federal Aviation Administration is deploying a team to the scene to assist the National Transportation Safety Board. He asked the public to pray for the families and loved ones of the victims.
The FAA reported that the jet departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. Its intended destination was North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. The crash site is located near Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North. Authorities urged drivers to seek alternate routes to avoid the area.
Witnesses and initial reports indicated the jet narrowly missed nearby homes. The Associated Press noted that the aircraft appeared to just clear residential structures before impacting the road. It remained unclear whether the collision caused direct damage to the houses in the immediate vicinity.
The LearJet 60 is a medium-size business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace. According to aviation data, the 58-foot aircraft has a maximum occupancy of two crew members and eight passengers. It possesses a maximum range of just over 2,400 nautical miles.
The NTSB is leading the investigation into the crash, with support from the FAA. The agency is monitoring the situation and plans to share updates as more information becomes available. The crash occurred during daylight hours, and a large fireball erupted at the scene upon impact.
The incident marks the first fatal plane crash in the Palm Beach County residential sector this year. The Greenacres area, where the crash occurred, is part of the larger Palm Beach County jurisdiction. Local emergency services responded to the scene immediately after the impact.
