All nine people aboard a Learjet 60 business jet were killed when the aircraft crashed into a residential area in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday, November 1, after its crew reported icing, turbulence and a rapidly accelerating descent to air traffic controllers.
The twin-engine aircraft, registered N722BD, crashed near Cresthaven at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that all nine occupants had died. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no reported injuries or fatalities on the ground, despite the aircraft crashing close to homes and passing vehicles.
The Learjet 60, manufactured in 2004, departed Austin at approximately 15:37 UTC and was flying over southern Florida when the crew began reporting deteriorating flying conditions.
According to air traffic control recordings, the aircraft was flying at 35,000 feet when the crew reported icing and moderate turbulence. The pilot also informed controllers that the aircraft was encountering precipitation and requested permission to climb to 37,000 feet in search of smoother conditions.
Shortly after receiving clearance to climb, the crew declared a Mayday. The pilot initially reported that the aircraft was descending at approximately 10,000 feet per minute and had entered an overspeed condition. The reported descent rate subsequently increased to 20,000 feet per minute.
During the emergency, the pilot warned controllers that the aircraft was going to crash. The final transmission from the cockpit came approximately 35 seconds after the initial mayday call, when the pilot said, “We’re out of time.”
Flight-tracking data published by Flightradar24 showed that the aircraft briefly climbed before entering a steep descending right turn.
Its reported vertical descent rate exceeded 32,000 feet per minute, with the last recorded altitude showing 8,750 feet at approximately 17:49 UTC. These figures are based on flight-tracking data and have not yet been established as findings of the accident investigation.
The aircraft struck the ground near Military Trail, close to the entrance of a mobile home community, erupting into flames on impact and leaving a large crater beside the road. Emergency crews responded to the crash, while local authorities closed nearby roads and arranged the evacuation of approximately 600 residents from the surrounding area.
FAA aircraft registration records identify the Learjet 60 as belonging to LR60271 LLC, a company registered in Delaware. The aircraft carried manufacturer serial number 60-271.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with assistance from the FAA. Investigators were dispatched to Palm Beach County to examine the wreckage and establish the circumstances of the accident.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms were reported across parts of southern Florida around the time of the crash. Although the crew had reported icing, turbulence and precipitation, investigators have not determined whether weather conditions contributed to the accident.
The NTSB is expected to examine the available flight data, air traffic control communications, aircraft wreckage and other evidence before determining what caused the fatal descent.
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