Nine people are dead after a Learjet flying from Texas to the Bahamas crashed and erupted in a fireball near Greenacres at Military Trail and 10th Avenue North on Sunday afternoon.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed Sunday afternoon on X (formerly Twitter) that all nine people on board the Learjet 60 died in the crash at 12:50 p.m. The victims have not been identified.
It was the deadliest commercial accident in Palm Beach County. In 1943, 14 servicemen died on takeoff when the Palm Beach County Airport operated as Morrison Field.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference Sunday afternoon that the crash left behind significant debris.
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“It looked like a missile coming down,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference near the crash site. “There’s a big crater on the side of the road.”
The governor added that no injuries on the ground had been reported.
DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier arrived quickly near the crash site because they were attending a campaign rally in West Palm Beach.
VIDEO BELOW: PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE LEARJET 60 CRASH
DeSantis praised first responders for moving quickly to the scene.
The accident site is near the only entrance to a mobile home complex.
Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores said efforts were underway to evacuate about 600 people from the Cresthaven mobile home park. Those forced to evacuate can stay at the Greenacres Community Center. Public Palm Tran buses were available to transport passengers.
What happened
The Learjet 60, bearing registration number N722BD and built in 2004, was flying to the Bahamas from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. It’s registered with an LLC in Delaware, according to FAA records, and is listed as available for rental online.
Radar analysis
Weather before and during the plane crash.
There were scattered storms in the area at the time of the accident.
The plane descended 27,000 feet in one minute, just before flight tracking data was interrupted, according to the ADS-B Exchange website.
Radar shows the jet hit a storm core just before climbing, then spiraled into a dive and crashed 76 seconds later, according to Radar Analysis.
The plane’s pilot reported ice accumulation on the plane, an outside air temperature of -47 degrees Celsius and moderate turbulence, causing the plane to bounce up to 700 feet, according to an air traffic control radio call recording captured by LiveATC.net.
“We have light, clear, manageable ice and moderate turbulence,” the pilot said by radio to the Miami air traffic control center.
But moments later, after reporting that precipitation was beginning to fall and asking to climb, they declared a state of emergency.
“We’re going down 8,000 – mayday, mayday – we’re going down 10,000 feet per minute,” she said. “We’re in overspeed going down at 20,000 feet per minute…We’re going to crash into the ground.”
The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating.
NTSB investigators arrived Sunday.
About 4 miles from the crash site, Air Force One took off with President Donald Trump for President J. Trump International Airport a little more than an hour earlier.
Fatal accidents
This year in the United States
This accident is the second deadliest in the United States this year, according to NTSB records. On June 16, a skydiving plane crashed in Butler, Missouri, killing 12 people.
On September 6, 2026, five people on the ground died when a Boeing 767 cargo plane operated by 21 Air for Amazon Air overran the runway while landing at Miami International Airport.
Learjets
It was the deadliest accident involving a Learjet 60, according to Flight Safety Foundation data obtained by CNN. In 2008, four people were killed when a Los Angeles-bound Learjet 60 crashed on takeoff from Columbia, South Carolina.
On June 23, 2000, a mid-air collision occurred 2.5 nautical miles southwest of the Boca Raton Airport, involving a Learjet 55 and an aerobatic aircraft. Three people were killed aboard the Learjet and one in the stunt plane.
The Learjet company was founded by Bill Lear in 1962 for luxury private travel. The company was acquired by Canadian manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace in 1990 and ceased all production of new Learjets in 2022. The company continues to provide service and maintenance support for the more than 2,000 aircraft remaining in service.
Florida
The two deadliest aviation disasters in state history occurred in the Florida Everglades.
On May 11, 1996, the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 departed Miami International Airport for Atlanta. Within minutes, a catastrophic fire broke out in the cargo hold and 110 people died.
On December 29, 1972, Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was preparing to land in Miami from New York’s JFK Airport when a small mechanical problem developed. Of the 176 people on board, 101 died.
Palm Beach County
On December 23, 1943, while Palm Beach County Airport was operating as Morrison Field, a B-24H Liberator heavy bomber struck trees and exploded immediately after takeoff. There were 14 deaths. War-related restrictions kept the information from being public for decades, according to the Palm Beach Post.
On September 3, 1999, A twin-engine Beechcraft King Air BE-90 flight from Michigan issued a “Mayday” emergency call due to mechanical problems. While attempting an emergency landing at PBIA, he struck a shopping center building and power lines, crashing in flames a half-mile short of the runway. All eight people on board died.
On September 12, 1980, a Douglas DC-3 commercial flight took off from PBIA bound for Freeport, Bahamas. Less than 30 minutes into the flight, the plane encountered severe thunderstorms and plunged into the Atlantic Ocean near the island of Grand Bahama. There were 14 deaths, including 30 passengers and four crew members, the only fatal commercial aircraft accident departing from or arriving at PBIA.
Declarations
The FAA released the following statement Sunday afternoon:
“A Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area near Cresthaven around 12:50 p.m. local time on Sunday, November 1. Nine people were on board.
“The plane took off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.
“The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be responsible for the investigation and will provide any updates.”
A spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement to WPBF 25 News Sunday afternoon:
“An incident involving an aircraft is currently under investigation in the area of Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North.
“All northbound and southbound lanes of Military Trail are closed until further notice. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.”
A spokesperson for Greenacres Fire Rescue said the incident occurred outside the city limits, but Greenacres Fire Rescue has four units on scene to assist with triage or subsequent fires resulting from the incident.
The Village of Palm Springs released the following statement:
“The Village of Palm Springs is aware of a plane crash in the area of 10th Avenue North and Military Trail.
“Residents and motorists are strongly encouraged to avoid the area until further notice to allow emergency personnel to respond safely.
“The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) is handling the incident. All questions regarding the accident and emergency response should be directed to the PBSO.
“Village Utilities staff are also on site, monitoring the situation and addressing any impacts to water and sewer services. Residents experiencing disruptions to water or sewer services should contact the Village of Palm Springs Utilities Department.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as emergency crews continue their response.
“Please avoid the area and use alternative routes.”
THE Statement from the Diocese of Palm Beach from Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred this afternoon along Military Trail in West Palm Beach, claiming the lives of nine people.
“My heart and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this heartbreaking tragedy. I also pray for the residents and families affected by this devastating accident.
“I am especially grateful to our firefighters, law enforcement, emergency personnel and all first responders for their dedication during this difficult time.
“Tomorrow, as we commemorate All Souls Day, I will offer the 10 a.m. Memorial Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery in Royal Palm Beach for the eternal rest of the nine victims of this tragedy, asking our merciful Lord to welcome them into His heavenly Kingdom and bring comfort and strength to their grieving families.
“I invite all the faithful of our diocese of Palm Beach to join me in prayer at this moment of sadness.
“Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”
Videos
WPBF 25 News viewers submitted the following videos about the aftermath of the accident below:
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Photo submitted
First responders, including Greenacres Fire Rescue, were dispatched to an incident near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North Sunday afternoon, with further details pending from authorities.
The Palm Beach County Fire Department was on scene and asked travelers to avoid the area as it is closed to all traffic.
The Palm Beach County government announced the following information on traffic patterns near the crash:
“Due to an emergency, the Military Trail between 10th Avenue North and Purdy Lane/Alemeda Drive will be closed until further notice. Only emergency vehicles will be allowed access. Law enforcement will be on site to redirect non-emergency traffic and assist local residents, if necessary.
“The public is asked to detour around this area using 10th Avenue North and Purdy Lane/Alemeda Drive for east-west travel, and Haverhill Road and Kirk Road for north-south travel.
“The Palm Beach County Department of Engineering and Public Works (EPW) recognizes that this is a major thoroughfare and understands the inconvenience this closure may cause. We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as we work to reopen the roadway.”
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
Palm Beach County firefighters responded to an aircraft incident near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North.
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