WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A tragic aviation incident occurred on Sunday when a Learjet 60 carrying nine individuals crashed in a South Florida neighborhood. The aircraft nose-dived into the area, creating a massive fireball, and narrowly missing nearby homes before landing close to a busy roadway. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that all passengers on board lost their lives in this devastating accident.
According to Duffy, the crash took place in Palm Beach County at approximately 12:50 p.m. He described the event as a “horrific tragedy” and indicated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is dispatching a team to assist with the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation into the crash's causes.
At this time, information regarding any injuries or fatalities among ground residents has not been disclosed. The aircraft had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was en route to the Bahamas, according to FAA reports. Authorities have yet to announce the identities of those on board or the specific factors that led to the crash.
Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed that the aircraft was a private jet, but he was unable to provide further details about its passengers. “This is definitely a tragedy,” he stated, while noting that the aircraft's tail number was N722BD.
Witnesses captured the horrifying moment when the jet plummeted from the skies. Video footage from motorists in the vicinity shows the aircraft descending rapidly before crashing and erupting in flames upon impact. Onlookers expressed shock at the jet's close proximity to residential homes and passing vehicles. Thick plumes of black smoke emerged from the crash site as firefighters and emergency personnel quickly responded to the scene.
The crash occurred near the intersection of Military Trail and 10th Avenue North, prompting the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to close roads in both directions and advise motorists to steer clear of the area. An employee who worked nearby reported that electricity in the vicinity had been out for around two hours post-crash.
As of now, the exact circumstances leading to this catastrophic event are still under investigation. The community remains in shock as authorities work to piece together what transpired during the flight and the ensuing crash.
