Nine killed as small jet crashes on Florida street

A small jet crashed on a street in Florida on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of all nine individuals on board, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The incident occurred near Cresthaven, approximately 14 kilometers from Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s resort in Palm Beach County, around 12:50 EST (17:50 GMT).

Surveillance footage reveals a large crater in the middle of a multi-lane road, with fire and debris scattered across it, though no one on the ground sustained injuries. The aircraft had departed from Austin, Texas, and was en route to the Bahamas. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) analysis suggests the jet was plummeting at a rate of hundreds of feet per second before the crash.

Air traffic control recordings captured moments prior to the crash, where a crew member reported "moderate turbulence" and mentioned managing ice. Shortly after, the same individual declared an emergency, stating they were "in an overspeed condition descending 20,000ft per minute" and feared they would "crash into the ground." About 35 seconds after the initial mayday call, the final words from the cockpit were "we're out of time."

Governor Ron DeSantis expressed shock at the crash, describing it as "like a missile coming down, and a massive explosion, debris going everywhere." The identities of those on board the jet remain unclear, and authorities have not yet reported any fatalities or injuries on the ground. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the crash as a "horrific tragedy" and emphasized the need for assistance from the National Transportation Safety Board. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue has declared a "mass casualty incident."