All nine die as private jet plummets into Florida neighborhood
A Learjet 60 descended at 30,000 feet per minute after encountering ice and turbulence, crashing into a road in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday.
By Marco Whitaker ·
Residents of a South Florida neighborhood lost nine lives on Sunday when a private business jet crashed into a busy roadway. The aircraft struck the ground near Greenacres, leaving a large crater and sending thick black smoke rising over nearby homes. Palm Beach County authorities confirmed that everyone aboard the Learjet 60 was killed in the impact.
The crash occurred at 12:50 p.m. on a rainy Sunday. The jet was traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to the Bahamas. Air traffic control records show the plane was heading east at 35,000 feet when the pilots reported encountering turbulence, icing, and precipitation. They requested to climb an additional 2,000 feet to escape the weather conditions.
Moments after the request, the aircraft entered a steep dive. Flight tracking data indicates the jet initially descended at 10,000 feet per minute, then accelerated to 20,000 feet per minute, and finally reached a rate of 30,000 feet per minute. This rapid drop pushed the plane beyond its design speed limits. The pilot declared an emergency and issued distress calls before the jet banked sharply to the right and hit the ground.
Radio communications captured by LiveATC.net reveal the pilot’s struggle against the elements. Minutes before the crash, the pilot reported light, clear ice and moderate turbulence that jolted the aircraft by as much as 700 feet. The pilot stated, “We have light, clear ice that is manageable and moderate turbulence.” As the situation worsened, the pilot radioed, “We’re descending 8,000, mayday, mayday, we’re descending 10,000 feet per minute.”
The final moments were marked by a rapid loss of altitude. The pilot warned controllers, “We are in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute.” The pilot then acknowledged the impending impact with the statement, “We’re going to crash into the ground.” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the incident a “horrific tragedy” in a post on X. He confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team to support the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited the scene and described the event to reporters. He said, “It was a cataclysmic plane crash. It looked like a missile going down and left a big crater on the side of the road.” DeSantis noted there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths among people on the ground. Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed the aircraft was private but did not release the names of the nine individuals on board.
Steve Arroyo, an aviation safety expert, suggested that icing and turbulence may have caused the plane to stall while cruising at 34,000 feet. He noted that investigators will consider how the pilot responded to the reported conditions but will not rule out other factors at this early stage. The National Weather Service had a flood watch in effect for the region due to excessive rainfall through Monday afternoon.
Palm Beach County authorities evacuated approximately 600 people from a nearby mobile home community while federal officials began their work. The roadway remains closed until further notice. The NTSB expects investigators to arrive at the crash site in Greenacres on Sunday and Monday. A media briefing is scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach. Greenacres has a population of 45,000 and is located about 7 miles southwest of West Palm Beach.
