All nine aboard killed as Learjet crashes in Florida neighborhood

West Palm Beach: All nine people aboard a Learjet 60 were killed Sunday when the business jet crashed into a residential area of Palm Beach County, Florida, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed. The aircraft had been flying from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas.

The crash occurred shortly before 1 p.m. near Cresthaven, close to Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North. The Federal Aviation Administration said the jet had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and was bound for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.

Images and witness accounts described a large fire, thick smoke and debris spread across the roadway and nearby homes. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who visited the site, said the impact left a large crater beside the road and described the scene as “cataclysmic.”

Authorities said there were no confirmed deaths or injuries among people on the ground, though the crash created a significant debris field. Palm Beach County officials said about 600 residents near the site might need temporary accommodation while emergency crews and investigators worked in the area.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with FAA personnel supporting the inquiry. Duffy called the crash a “horrific tragedy” and said federal agencies were monitoring developments.

Officials had not identified the victims, confirmed the split between passengers and crew, or determined a cause by Sunday evening. CNN, citing air traffic control recordings, reported that the pilots mentioned icing, turbulence and precipitation shortly before the aircraft entered a steep descent, but investigators have not said whether those conditions played a role.

The Learjet 60 is a twin-engine business jet manufactured by Bombardier. Aviation records cited in local reporting identified the aircraft’s registration as N722BD, though registration does not establish who operated the flight.

The NTSB said its investigative team was expected in Florida on Sunday and Monday, with a media briefing planned in West Palm Beach. Its investigation will examine the wreckage, flight records, weather information and other evidence before issuing findings on the probable cause.

(Inputs from IANS)