Learjet 60 Crash Kills Nine in Palm Beach County
All nine people aboard the private aircraft died when it struck the ground near Mar-a-Lago on Sunday.
By Layla Richardson ·
Nine people were killed when a private Learjet 60 crashed into the Cresthaven area of Palm Beach County, Florida, at approximately 12:50 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. The impact occurred about nine miles from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Authorities confirmed that everyone aboard the aircraft perished, though they have not yet released the identities of the victims.
The Federal Aviation Administration stated that the jet departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas with a destination of North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. Dashcam video from a nearby vehicle captured the aircraft descending rapidly before striking the ground nose-first. The collision produced a large fireball and left a crater at the site, scattering debris across the surrounding neighborhood.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the incident as a "horrific tragedy" when he spoke to reporters on Sunday afternoon. He announced that the FAA would send a team to the crash site to support the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis used the word "cataclysmic" to characterize the scene. He compared the plane’s final moments to a missile falling from the sky and noted that the wreckage was spread over a wide area.
The crash site is located near the entrance of a mobile home park. Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores said local officials are coordinating with the Red Cross to assist approximately 600 displaced residents. Two emergency shelters are being prepared for those who cannot return to their homes. No reports of injuries to people on the ground have been received by officials, but the damage forced evacuations while investigators secure the area.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue has asked drivers and residents to avoid the vicinity, warning that the response will require an extended period of time. Military Trail remains closed between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North while emergency personnel work at the scene. The FAA and NTSB will lead the effort to determine the cause of the crash, with local officials continuing to manage the impact on the community.
