Florida Learjet Crash Kills Nine as Residents Describe Massive Explosion That Shook Nearby Homes

Residents in Greenacres, Florida, have described the terrifying moments a business jet plunged from the sky and exploded on impact, killing all nine people aboard.

The crash happened at approximately 12.50pm on Sunday near the intersection of Military Trail and 10th Avenue North, close to West Palm Beach.

The $2 million Learjet 60 was travelling from Texas when it suddenly descended and struck the ground, triggering a huge fireball.

Family’s Apartment Shaken by Massive Explosion

A mother and her son were preparing to leave their apartment in Greenacres when they heard what the woman described as a ‘super big explosion’.

The impact was so powerful that their apartment began shaking, while the boy initially thought the noise was caused by an enormous lightning strike.

‘It sounded, like, very massive, huge,’ the mother told Fox News, explaining that her frightened son ran towards her immediately after hearing the blast.

She said the family subsequently lost electricity, while the curtains covering their windows began shaking.

Power was restored approximately seven minutes later.

When they looked outside, they noticed thick black smoke rising from the crash site before emergency sirens began sounding around three minutes later.

Other witnesses also reported feeling the force of the explosion, with some describing how they were lifted off the ground as the road began buckling and flames spread across the area.

DeSantis Compares Falling Jet to a Missile

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the aircraft’s descent as he visited the crash site in heavy rain on Sunday evening.

‘When you see that video, you know, it’s a jarring thing,’ DeSantis said.

‘It was like… a missile coming down and a massive explosion, debris going everywhere.’

Dashcam footage captured the moment the aircraft plunged towards the ground before erupting into a massive fireball.

The impact created a large crater in the middle of the road and scattered aircraft debris across the surrounding area.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that nine people were aboard the jet.

Authorities said no one on the ground was killed or injured.

Nearly 600 Residents Forced to Leave Their Homes

The crash has forced authorities to arrange temporary accommodation for nearly 600 residents of a nearby mobile home community.

The entrance to the neighbourhood is situated directly beside the wreckage, making it inaccessible while investigators examine the scene.

Former Greenacres Mayor and current Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores explained that residents could not remain in their homes because the entrance was part of the secured crash investigation area.

‘Unfortunately, that’s a crime scene. They’re investigating that, so the people can’t stay there,’ Flores said during a news conference.

County officials are preparing two shelters for those displaced, while the American Red Cross has been placed on standby.

The crash also damaged nearby infrastructure, raising concerns about possible disruptions to water and other essential services.

Damaged Road Could Remain Closed for a Month

Authorities do not expect the section of Military Trail affected by the crash to reopen within the next 30 days.

Flores said the investigation and repair work could keep the road closed for an extended period, while businesses in the surrounding area may also experience prolonged disruptions.

Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are examining the wreckage as they work to establish what caused the aircraft to crash.

Pilot Declared Emergency During Rapid Descent

Air traffic control recordings have provided details of the aircraft’s final moments before impact.

The Learjet was approaching the West Palm Beach area when controllers in Miami authorised the pilots to deviate left or right because of moderate precipitation to the southeast.

The weather was described as ‘pretty nasty’, with controllers subsequently reporting moderate turbulence.

The female pilot then informed air traffic control that the aircraft was rapidly descending.

‘Seven two two bravo delta, we’re descending 8,000… mayday mayday… we’re descending 10,000 ft per minute,’ she said.

Seconds later, she declared an emergency and reported that the aircraft was experiencing an overspeed condition.

‘Declaring emergency, declaring emergency we are in an overspeed condition,’ the pilot said before reporting that the jet was descending at 20,000 feet per minute.

Her voice became increasingly distressed as she warned that the aircraft was heading towards the ground.

‘I’m here with you, talk to me,’ the air traffic controller responded in an attempt to reassure her.

The pilot subsequently reported that the aircraft was descending at 22,000 feet per minute while banking at 60 degrees, indicating that its wings were tilted at a steep angle.

‘We’re out of time,’ she screamed.

The Daily Mail said it had chosen not to publish the final seconds of the recording because of their distressing nature.

Governor Says Something May Have Gone Wrong Midair

DeSantis later suggested that the aircraft may have experienced a serious problem before hitting the ground.

Asked about the jet’s rapid descent, the governor said its trajectory indicated that something had gone wrong while it was still airborne.

‘To see the way it descended, yeah, I think you can make the inference that something happened in the air that was a big problem,’ he said.

The precise cause of the crash has not been established.

Weather conditions in the West Palm Beach area were poor on Sunday afternoon, with overcast skies, rain and lightning reported in the vicinity.

Winds were blowing from the east at approximately 15mph, with gusts approaching 25mph.

The National Weather Service in Miami reported visibility of seven miles.

Flight Was Travelling From Texas to the Bahamas

Flight data showed that the aircraft had departed Austin, Texas, and was heading towards North Eleuthera in the Bahamas before its journey ended near West Palm Beach.

The crash occurred approximately eight miles from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.

Trump had been at the resort on Saturday evening, where he hosted hundreds of guests at a jungle-themed Halloween party.

The president attended the event dressed as himself, joking about his costume during his appearance.

‘I’ve spent nine hours getting ready. I had ten minutes, so I came as Donald Trump tonight! Hello everybody,’ he said.

By Sunday, as the aircraft crashed near West Palm Beach, Trump had travelled to Iowa for the final stage of his midterm election campaign.