A Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area of Palm Beach County, Florida, killing all nine people on board. The plane, en route from Texas to the Bahamas, slammed into the ground after a steep descent, leaving a massive crater and triggering a large fireball. Federal officials have launched an investigation into the incident.
The crash occurred around 12:50 p.m. EST, with the plane descending at an alarming rate of up to 30,000 feet per minute. Videos captured the plane's dramatic descent, described by Governor Ron DeSantis as 'a missile going down,' and showed a thick plume of smoke and flames near a road. The NTSB has begun its probe into the cause of the crash.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the incident a 'horrific tragedy' and confirmed the FAA is supporting the NTSB's investigation. At least 600 people in the area were evacuated as officials work to determine the cause of the crash and identify the victims.
The plane's final moments were captured in audio recordings, with the cockpit crew reporting a rapid descent and declaring an emergency. The NTSB and FAA are working to uncover what went wrong, with no immediate reports of ground injuries or deaths.