WATCH | Learjet crashes in Florida, nine dead

Nine people have died after a private Learjet crashed into a residential neighbourhood in Florida, United States, on Sunday, 1 November.

The Learjet 60 was travelling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it plunged into the ground near a busy road in Palm Beach County shortly before 13:00 local time.

All nine people on board died.

Videos circulating on social media show the aircraft descending almost vertically before striking the ground and erupting into a massive fireball.

The impact left a large crater near a mobile home park, with debris scattered across the surrounding area.

Pilot’s chilling final words

According to reports, air traffic control recordings captured the pilot reporting ice accumulation, turbulence and heavy precipitation shortly before the crash.

The crew requested permission to climb to a higher altitude in search of better flying conditions.

However, the situation deteriorated rapidly.

The pilot declared an emergency as the aircraft began losing altitude at an alarming rate, reportedly exceeding 32 000 feet per minute at one point.

In the final moments, the pilot warned controllers that the aircraft was heading towards the ground.

The last words heard from the cockpit were: “We’re out of time.”

The private jet that went down just miles from Mar-a-Lago had 9 people on board, according to the FAA.

The plane crashed in a residential area near Cresthaven, Florida.

The aircraft had departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was on its way to North… pic.twitter.com/Y3aDijQ1xj

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg)

November 1, 2026

Hundreds evacuated after crash

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the crash as a major tragedy, comparing the aircraft’s final descent to a missile striking the ground.

About 600 residents living near the crash site were evacuated, with authorities arranging temporary shelter.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries on the ground.

BREAKING: Emergency crews rush to the scene of a plane crash in West Palm Beach, Florida, with reports indicating there are no survivors.

The aircraft, believed to be a Bombardier Learjet 60, reportedly plunges toward the ground at an estimated 32,000 feet per minute. Social… pic.twitter.com/5r0w5h7zMi

— Fox News (@FoxNews)

November 1, 2026

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the nine fatalities and extended his condolences to the victims’ families.

The identities of those killed have not yet been released.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), assisted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has launched an investigation.

Although the crew reported icing and turbulence, investigators have not established what caused the aircraft to crash.