South Florida Jet Crash: Nine Dead After Learjet 60 Crashes into Neighborhood

A business jet crashed into a residential area in South Florida on Sunday, killing everyone on board. The incident occurred at 12:50 p.m. in Palm Beach County.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the death of all nine passengers. He described the event as a "horrific tragedy" in a post on X. The Federal Aviation Administration is supporting the National Transportation Safety Board with an investigation team.

The aircraft was a Learjet 60 with the tail number N722BD. It departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. The flight was bound for the Bahamas. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the passengers.

Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, identified the plane as a private aircraft. He stated that it was "definitely a tragedy" but could not provide further details about the occupants.

Video footage from nearby vehicles showed the jet plunging from the sky. It struck the ground near a busy roadway and produced a large fireball. Debris landed near homes and passing vehicles. Thick black smoke rose from the crash site.

The crash site is located near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office closed roads in both directions. Emergency crews responded to the scene. A worker nearby reported that electricity was out for about two hours after the impact.

Investigators have not determined the cause of the crash. It is not yet clear if any people on the ground were injured or killed. The FAA did not immediately state who was aboard the flight.