'Like a missile coming down': Jet crashes near Trump's Florida home, killing all 9 on board
The Learjet 60 aircraft departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to the Bahamas
A private Learjet 60 traveling from Texas to the Bahamas crashed into a residential area in South Florida on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of all nine people on board and triggering a massive fireball that prompted immediate emergency responses, road closures, and resident evacuations.
A private Learjet 60 traveling from Texas to the Bahamas crashed into a residential area in South Florida on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of all nine people on board and triggering a massive fireball that prompted immediate emergency responses, road closures, and resident evacuations.
A private Learjet 60 traveling from Texas to the Bahamas crashed into a residential area in South Florida on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of all nine people on board and triggering a massive fireball that prompted immediate emergency responses, road closures, and resident evacuations.
All nine people on board a private jet were killed after it crashed into a residential area in South Florida on Sunday. The crash triggered a massive fireball, prompting emergency crews to shut down nearby roads.
The Learjet 60 aircraft had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to the Bahamas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It plunged towards the ground and crashed near Cresthaven, approximately nine miles from US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, at around 12:50 pm.
"The FAA is sending a team to the scene to support the NTSB's investigation," US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. He added that the FAA and the US Department of Transportation were closely monitoring the crash and would share updates as they became available.
According to a Fox News report, emergency crews shut down Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North, urging residents and motorists to avoid the area. In a post on X, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue described the incident as an extended emergency operation.
Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed that a private aircraft was involved in the accident but said he could not immediately provide details about those on board. He, however, confirmed that the aircraft's tail number was N722BD.
Videos circulating on social media showed the terrifying moment the aircraft plunged from the sky before crashing near a roadway and exploding. Thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the scene.
"When you see that video, it's a jarring thing," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told reporters at a news conference following the crash. "It's like a missile coming down, and a massive explosion, debris going everywhere."
It remained unclear whether the crash caused any damage to nearby homes. The BBC quoted DeSantis as saying that around 600 local residents were being evacuated from a nearby trailer-park community.
The report further quoted local officials as saying that the impact caused considerable damage to local infrastructure, including water lines.