‘Looked like missile going down’: Florida governor describes Learjet crash as videos show jet exploding on impact

Nine individuals aboard a Learjet 60 tragically perished when the aircraft crashed near a residential neighbourhood in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday afternoon. The jet, originating from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and destined for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, plummeted near Cresthaven around 12:50pm, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed profound sorrow over the incident, stating, "Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we lost." The exact identities of the deceased have not been disclosed at this time.

Air traffic control recordings revealed a crew member issuing a mayday call and reporting an exceedingly rapid descent. The crew had initially reported "light, clear ice" as manageable, along with moderate turbulence. They subsequently reported precipitation and requested to ascend to a higher altitude. A flood watch was in effect for southern Florida, with showers and scattered thunderstorms anticipated to persist through Monday.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the crash as "cataclysmic," highlighting that the aircraft had left a sizable crater in the road and scattered debris over a significant area. He noted, "It looked like a missile going down. It left a big crater on the side of the road." DeSantis confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were reported among individuals on the ground, as the nearby mobile home park's residents were being evacuated, with approximately 600 people requiring shelter overnight.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office stated that the aircraft incident was under investigation, with all northbound and southbound lanes along Military Trail closed pending further notice. The aircraft was registered to a Delaware-based limited liability company, according to FAA records. Learjet manufacturer Bombardier expressed deep sorrow over the incident, pledging to support the investigating authorities fully and cooperate as required once the investigation concludes.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently conducting an investigation into the crash.