Learjet 60 kills all 9 passengers and crew in Palm Beach County crash

All nine people aboard a Learjet 60 were killed when the aircraft crashed into a residential area in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the total loss of life in a social media post, urging the public to pray for the families and loved ones of the deceased.

Federal Aviation Administration records indicate the accident occurred at approximately 12:50 p.m. Eastern Time. The plane struck the ground near a roadway in the Cresthaven community. The crash site is located near Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North. Local authorities have asked drivers to use alternate routes to avoid the area.

The aircraft was a medium-size business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace. The 58-foot plane has a maximum occupancy of two crew members and eight passengers. Its maximum range is just over 2,400 nautical miles. The crash caused a massive fireball, and the jet appeared to narrowly miss nearby homes. It was not immediately clear whether the impact caused damage to the surrounding residences.

The plane had departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. Its destination was North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. The FAA is sending a team to the scene to support the NTSB's efforts.

Duffy stated that the FAA is closely monitoring the situation and will share updates as more information becomes available. He described the event as a horrific tragedy. The jet carried nine individuals at the time of the crash. The specific identities of the passengers and crew have not yet been released.

The crash site is in a neighborhood that residents describe as quiet. The sudden appearance of the business jet in a residential zone raised immediate concerns for those living in the immediate vicinity. Emergency response teams moved quickly to contain the fire and secure the area. The road near the crash site remains closed to traffic while investigators examine the wreckage.

The Learjet 60 is a common model for private air travel. It is designed for short to medium range flights. The flight from Austin to the Bahamas falls within its operational range. The aircraft was en route to its destination when it went down. The cause of the crash is still under review by federal agencies.

Local officials are coordinating with federal investigators to determine the sequence of events. The NTSB will analyze data from the plane's systems to identify any mechanical issues. The FAA is also reviewing the flight path and weather conditions at the time of the accident. No other vehicles or structures were confirmed to be damaged in the initial reports.

The community is waiting for further details from the investigation. Families of the nine individuals killed are being notified by authorities. The crash marks the latest aviation incident in the state. The area remains a focus for rescue and recovery teams as they work through the debris.