A business jet carrying nine people crashed Sunday in Palm Beach County, Florida, near a busy roadway and homes. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on X that everyone on board was killed. He said the Learjet 60 went down at 12:50 p.m. and called it a tragedy. The plane caught fire and left a crater, according to people at the scene.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the jet left Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to the Bahamas. The FAA is sending a team to support the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation, Duffy said. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of anyone on the ground being hurt or killed. Authorities did not immediately say what caused the crash or name those on board.
According to air traffic control recordings and flight tracking data, the pilot reported ice and turbulence and asked to climb shortly before the plane began descending rapidly. The pilot declared an emergency and issued distress calls. Recordings and data show the plane's speed went beyond its design limits, according to the same sources. The National Weather Service said a flood watch for the area was in effect through Monday afternoon because of heavy rain.