Transportation Secretary confirms nine dead in Florida Learjet crash
The aircraft, a Learjet 60, crashed into a residential area in Palm Beach County on Sunday afternoon while traveling from Austin to the Bahamas.
By Alexei Brooks ·
All nine people aboard a business jet were killed when the aircraft crashed in South Florida on Sunday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced.
Duffy confirmed the fatalities on social media, describing the incident as a "horrific tragedy." The Learjet 60 struck the ground near a busy roadway in Palm Beach County at 12:50 p.m. local time. The Federal Aviation Administration is dispatching a team to assist the National Transportation Safety Board with the investigation into the cause of the crash.
The jet originated at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was bound for the Bahamas, according to FAA records. Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for the Austin airport, identified the plane as a private aircraft with the tail number N722BD. Reynolds stated that the crash was "definitely a tragedy" but did not provide specific details about the passengers at the time of his comments.
Witnesses captured video of the aircraft descending rapidly before impacting the ground near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North. The jet erupted in a large fireball, sending thick black smoke into the air. Emergency crews and firefighters arrived quickly to manage the scene. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office closed roads in both directions to keep traffic away from the impact zone.
The crash site was located in a neighborhood, with the aircraft landing close to homes and passing vehicles. A crater remained where the jet hit, surrounded by scattered pavement and flames. Authorities have not yet determined if the impact damaged nearby residences. A woman working in the vicinity reported that power outages affected the area for roughly two hours following the event.
It was not immediately clear if anyone on the ground sustained injuries. The specific identities of the nine individuals on board remained unconfirmed by authorities as of Sunday evening. The NTSB and FAA teams will analyze the wreckage to determine what caused the jet to lose altitude and crash.
