USAupdated 55m ago2 min read
MapLearjet 60 Crash Kills Nine in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, Florida
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Nine people died aboard a Learjet 60 that crashed near Cresthaven, Greenacres, Florida. The jet departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, bound for North Eleuthera.
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Learjet crash near Mar-a-Lago
A Learjet 60 crashed in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, Florida, near Military Trail, killing nine people on board, after the aircraft departed from Austin-Bergstrom (Texas) and was headed to North Eleuthera (Bahamas). Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the nine deaths and called the event a “horrible tragedy,” while the BBC said the crash happened around 12:50 EST (17:50 GMT) near Cresthaven, about nine miles (14 km) from Mar-a-Lago. Air traffic control audio captured a cockpit voice saying “moderate turbulence” and that the crew was “managing the ice,” before the crew declared an emergency and warned, “we are going to crash into the ground.”
The Aviacionline account said the crew declared mayday after reporting light clear ice, moderate turbulence, and precipitation, then reported extreme descents, and it added that ADS-B data showed the aircraft lost about 26,700 feet in 70 seconds. The FAA and NTSB investigation is underway, with the Aviacionline report saying the NTSB is leading and a preliminary report is expected in about 30 days, while the BBC said the FAA was sending a team to help the NTSB investigation.
Evacuations, closures, and radio
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of ground casualties, while the BBC described the crash site as a crater in the middle of a multi-lane road with fire and debris and said nobody on the ground was hurt.
Authorities evacuated about 600 people and closed Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North, and Aviacionline reported power outages as emergency response continued.
Evacuees were moved to the Greenacres Community Center at 501 Swain Blvd., and John I. Leonard High School was closed Monday as emergency crews continued their work.
The NTSB is leading the investigation with support from the FAA, and the cause has not yet been determined.
The BBC said Palm Beach County Fire Rescue declared a “mass casualty incident,” and it reported that the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened on Military Trail, a six-lane road that features businesses and restaurants.
What investigators will determine
The NTSB is leading the investigation, and the Aviacionline report said a preliminary report is expected in about 30 days, while it added that the cause has not yet been determined.
The FAA was sending a team to the scene to help an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, and flight analysis indicated the jet was plummeting hundreds of feet per second before crashing.
The crew declared mayday after reporting light clear ice, moderate turbulence, and precipitation, and ADS-B data showed a rapid descent and a final spiral.
The cause of the crash has not been determined, and the NTSB was expected to provide an update at 1 p.m. Monday in West Palm Beach.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the NTSB has launched an investigation into a deadly plane crash in Florida that killed all people onboard, and the FAA was sending a team to the scene to support the NTSB’s investigation.