Nine people died when a Learjet 60 crashed near homes and a busy road in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
The private jet was flying from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it went down in the Greenacres area at about 12:50 p.m. Eastern time.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed all nine deaths, Local 10 reported. Federal investigators are examining what happened during the aircraft’s final minutes.
Jet Crashes Beside a Residential Community
The aircraft came down near South Military Trail and Cresthaven Boulevard, close to a mobile home community. Video recorded from vehicles showed the jet descending sharply before an explosion sent flames and black smoke above the surrounding streets.
The impact left a large crater near the roadway. Nearby residents described debris striking their homes and a powerful shaking as the aircraft passed overhead. One resident, Roger Forcelle, said he later saw smoke rising from the area and could not return home after leaving to run errands.
Local officials worked to arrange shelter for about 600 people affected by the crash. Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores said the immediate priority was finding residents somewhere safe to stay Sunday night, with the Red Cross available to help, according to NBC6.
Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths on the ground.
Pilots Reported Icing Before Rapid Descent
The Learjet had departed Austin Bergstrom International Airport for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. Flightradar24 identified the aircraft as N722BD, a Learjet 60 manufactured in 2004. The aircraft had flown to Austin from Little Rock, Arkansas, the previous day, tracking records also showed.
According to flight tracking information, the jet was near Naples, Florida, when it began descending toward 35,000 feet. It briefly climbed shortly before entering a steep turn and descent.
Air traffic control recordings reviewed by Flightradar24 captured the crew reporting icing, moderate turbulence and precipitation. The pilots requested permission to climb to 37,000 feet, seeking better conditions.
After receiving climb instructions, the crew reported a rapid loss of altitude and an overspeed condition. Tracking data showed a reported descent rate exceeding 32,000 feet per minute. The last altitude received by the tracking service was 8,750 feet.
Those figures describe information transmitted during the flight. They do not establish what caused the aircraft to descend or explain whether weather, equipment, crew actions or another factor contributed.
Federal Investigation Begins Into the Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, supported by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Investigators were expected to reach the scene on Sunday and Monday, with a briefing scheduled in West Palm Beach on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Authorities had not immediately announced a cause or identified those aboard. Early accounts of the flight’s final moments came largely from radio communications, tracking records and witness video.
Heavy rain fell across the region on Sunday. A flood watch linked to excessive rainfall remained in effect through Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service, the news agency reported.
For residents near the impact site, the immediate disruption continued into Sunday evening. Officials were arranging temporary accommodation while access around the wreckage remained restricted.
Drivers were asked to avoid Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North as authorities worked at the scene.