Nine killed as Learjet 60 crashes in Florida residential area

WASHINGTON, Nov 2 (OPA) — All nine people aboard a Learjet 60 died Sunday when the aircraft crashed in Greenacres, Florida, erupting into a massive fireball near a residential area. The flight, which originated in Austin, Texas, and was bound for North Eleuthera, Bahamas, went down at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time, roughly eight miles from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.

Air traffic control recordings reveal the pilot struggled with atmospheric conditions, reporting light, clear ice and moderate turbulence at an outside temperature of -47 degrees Celsius. As the situation deteriorated, the pilot requested a 2,000-foot climb before declaring an emergency. Transcripts indicate the aircraft experienced an overspeed condition, descending at a rate of 20,000 feet per minute while banking 60 degrees before impact.

Transport Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the fatalities, while the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. The impact created a large crater, toppled power lines, and forced the evacuation of nearly 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited the site, describing the wreckage as a cataclysmic event.

Palm Beach County officials stated that the crash site remains a restricted zone, with road closures expected to last at least 30 days to facilitate the recovery of wreckage and infrastructure repairs. While the crash occurred near the President’s estate, officials confirmed that President Trump had departed the area via Air Force One approximately one hour before the incident occurred.