Nine Killed in Learjet Crash in Florida, US Officials Say

Nine Killed in Learjet Crash in Florida, US Officials Say

 Nine people were killed after a private Learjet crashed in a residential area of Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday afternoon, November 1, 2026, according to US transportation officials. All nine people aboard the aircraft died in the accident.

Learjet Was Travelling From Texas to the Bahamas

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),a the Bombardier-made Learjet 60 departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. The aircraft was heading towards North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when the crash occurred in Florida.

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Aircraft Crashed Near a Residential Area

The aircraft came down near a road close to the entrance of a mobile home park in Palm Beach County. Local officials described the impact site as having a massive crater. Videos shared on social media showed the aircraft descending towards the ground before an explosion.

Around 600 Residents Evacuated

Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores said approximately 600 people were being evacuated from the surrounding area. The residents were relocated to two shelters within the county as emergency teams responded to the incident.

Air Traffic Control Recording Reveals Final Moments

Audio recordings from a Miami air traffic control centre captured the aircraft's final communications. According to the recording, someone in the cockpit initially reported icing conditions and moderate turbulence while requesting a smoother flight path.

Less than a minute later, the cockpit declared a Mayday emergency and reported a rapid descent. The reported descent rate increased significantly, with the crew warning that the aircraft was approaching the ground. The final recorded cockpit communication was, "We're out of time."

NTSB Launches Investigation Into the Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation to determine what caused the aircraft to crash. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the incident as a horrific tragedy. Aircraft manufacturer Bombardier said it would fully support the investigation and cooperate with authorities.

Severe Weather Reported in the Area

Forecaster AccuWeather reported heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in the region around the time of the accident. Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 said its data showed that the aircraft's vertical descent rate exceeded 32,000 feet per minute at one point. Investigators will examine the available flight data, weather conditions and cockpit communications to establish the cause of the crash.