Military Trail is closed indefinitely.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —
Nine people died after a Learjet from Texas to the Bahamas crashed and erupted in a fireball near Greenacres near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North on Sunday afternoon.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed on Sunday afternoon on X (formerly Twitter) that all nine people on the Learjet 60 died when the crash occurred at 12:50 p.m.
It is the deadliest crash in Palm Beach County.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a news conference Sunday afternoon that the crash left significant debris.
“It looked like a missile going down,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference near the crash site. “There is a big crater on the side of the road.”
The governor added that, other than those in the jet presumed dead, there is no additional information on injuries for those on the ground.
VIDEO BELOW: PRESS CONFERENCE ON LEARJET 60 CRASH
DeSantis praised first responders for their quick movement to the scene.
The crash site is near the only entrance to a mobile home complex.
Palm Beach County commissioner Joel Flores said that efforts are underway to evacuate about 600 people at Cresthaven mobile home park. Those forced to evacuate may stay at two shelters. PalmTran public buses are also en route to transport passengers.
What happened
The Learjet 60, with tail number N722BD, was flying to the Bahamas from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. It is registered to an LLC in Delaware, according to FAA records, and is listed as available for charter online.
Radar Analysis
Weather before and during the plane crash.
There were scattered storms in the area at the time of the crash.
The jet descended 27,000 feet over the course of one minute, just before flight tracking data cut off, the website ADS-B Exchange shows.
Radar shows the jet hit a storm core just before it climbed, then went into a spiraling dive and crashed 76 seconds later, according to Radar Analysis.
The plane’s pilot reported ice accumulating on the aircraft, an outside air temperature of -47 degrees Celsius, and moderate turbulence, bouncing the plane by up to 700 feet, according to a recording of air traffic control radio calls captured by LiveATC.net.
“We have light, clear ice that is manageable and moderate turbulence,” the pilot radioed the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center.
But moments later, after reporting precipitation started to fall and requesting to climb, they declared an emergency.
“We’re descending 8,000 – mayday, mayday – we’re descending 10,000 feet per minute,” the pilot said. “We are in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute … We’re going to crash into the ground.”
NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators will arrive at the site Sunday.
About 4 miles from the crash site, President Donald Trump departed President J. Trump International Airport a little more than one hour before the crash.
Deadly crashes
The crash is the second deadliest in the United States this year, according to NTSB records. In June, a skydiving plane crash in Butler, Missouri killed 12.
It is the most deadly crash involving a Learjet 60, according to data from the Flight Safety Foundation obtained by CNN. In 2008, four were killed when a Learjet 60 bound for Los Angeles crashed on takeoff from Columbia, South Carolina.
The two deadliest aviation disasters in Florida history occurred in the Florida Everglades.
On May 11, 1996, the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 departed Miami International Airport bound for Atlanta. Within minutes, a catastrophic fire erupted in the cargo hold and 110 died.
On December 29, 1972, Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was preparing to land in Miami from New York’s JFK Airport when a tiny mechanical issue emerged. Of the 176 people on board, 101 died.
Statements
The Federal Aviation Administration released the following statement on Sunday afternoon:
“A Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area near Cresthaven around 12:50 p.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 1. Nine people were on board.
The aircraft departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide all updates.”
A spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement to WPBF 25 News on 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 boundary, but Greenacres Fire Rescue has four units at the scene to assist with any triage or subsequent fires 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 safely respond.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) is managing the incident. All questions regarding the crash and emergency response should be directed to PBSO.
Village Utilities personnel are also on scene, monitoring the situation and addressing any impacts to water and sewer services. Residents experiencing water or sewer service disruptions 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 alternate routes.”
The Diocese of Palm Beach statement 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 hold in prayer the residents and families affected by this devastating accident.
I am especially grateful to our firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency personnel, and all first responders for their dedicated service during this difficult time.
Tomorrow, as we commemorate All Souls’ Day, I will offer the 10:00 a.m. Memorial Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery in Royal Palm Beach for the eternal rest of all nine victims of this tragedy, asking our merciful Lord to welcome them into His heavenly Kingdom and to bring comfort and strength to their grieving families.
I invite all the faithful of our Diocese of Palm Beach to unite with me in prayer during this time of sorrow.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Videos
WPBF 25 News viewers submitted the following videos below of the crash aftermath:
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Submitted Photo
First responders, including Greenacres Fire Rescue, were dispatched to an incident near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North on Sunday afternoon, with further details pending from authorities.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is at the scene and asked travelers to avoid the area as the area is closed to all traffic.
Palm Beach County Government announced the following information on traffic patterns near the crash:
“Due to an emergency situation, Military Trail between 10th Avenue North and Purdy Lane/Alemeda Drive will be closed until further notice. Only emergency vehicles will be permitted access. Law enforcement will be on site redirecting non-emergency traffic and assisting local residents, as needed.
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 Engineering and Public Works Department (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 re-open the roadway.”
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responded to an airplane incident near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
Deadly crashes
Sunday’s incident is the worst crash involving a Learjet 60, according to data from the Flight Safety Foundation. In 2008, four were killed when a Learjet 60 bound for Los Angeles crashed on takeoff from Columbia, South Carolina.