Business jet crashes on Florida road, nine killed

A business jet crashed on a residential street in Florida on Sunday, killing all nine people on board, the US transport secretary said.

The Learjet 60 went down near Cresthaven, about nine miles (14 km) from President Donald Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago resort in Palm Beach County, at approximately 12:50 EST (17:50 GMT). A large crater was left in the centre of the six‑lane Military Trail, with fire and debris scattered across the road, but no ground casualties were reported.

The aircraft had departed from Austin, Texas, bound for the Bahamas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Air‑traffic control recordings captured the crew reporting moderate turbulence, ice, and a need to climb before the jet began a rapid descent of 10,000 ft per minute. An emergency declaration was made, with the crew warning of an overspeed condition and a descent of 20,000 ft per minute before the final “we’re out of time” call.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the scene as “like a missile coming down” and confirmed that 600 residents were being evacuated from a nearby trailer park. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue has declared a mass‑casualty incident, and the county sheriff’s office said the crash damaged water lines and will keep the road closed for at least 30 days.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the event a “horrific tragedy” and said the FAA is sending a team to assist the National Transportation Safety Board investigation. No one on the ground was injured, and the identities of those on board have not yet been released.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Chris The Island / Pexels.