'Mayday mayday': Videos show moment Florida jet crashed near busy road

A Learjet 60 carrying nine passengers crashed near a busy road in Greenacres, Florida on Sunday, killing all aboard, according to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The aircraft, en route from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to the Bahamas, encountered severe weather conditions that led to a catastrophic descent.

Air traffic control recordings reveal the pilot initially reported worsening weather, turbulence, and ice accumulation on the plane, followed by a rapid loss of altitude. The pilot declared an emergency as the aircraft began an overspeed dive, ultimately crashing near a road and creating a large crater. Fire and thick smoke engulfed the site, prompting authorities to evacuate nearby residents as a precaution.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the incident as a "horrific tragedy" with no immediate reports of injuries on the ground. Heavy rain was falling in the region, and a flood watch remained in effect until Monday afternoon. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have launched investigations into the cause of the crash.