Nine killed as Learjet crashes in Florida residential area

Nine people were killed after a private Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area of Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday afternoon, US transportation authorities confirmed.

The aircraft had departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was travelling to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when the accident occurred, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Videos circulating on social media showed the aircraft plunging towards the ground near a road before bursting into flames and triggering a massive explosion.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the incident as a devastating tragedy. Speaking at a news conference near the crash site in Lake Worth Beach, he said the footage showed the aircraft falling like a missile before exploding and scattering debris across the area.

The impact created a large crater near the entrance of a mobile home park, according to Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores. Authorities evacuated around 600 residents and arranged temporary accommodation at two shelters as a precaution.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also expressed condolences, describing the incident as a horrific tragedy.

The FAA identified the aircraft as a Bombardier-made Learjet 60 and listed its owner as a Delaware-based corporation. Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier said it would fully cooperate with investigators.

An audio recording from a Miami air traffic control centre has provided details of the aircraft’s final moments before impact.

According to the recording, a person in the cockpit initially informed air traffic controllers that the crew was dealing with icing conditions. The pilot also reported moderate turbulence and requested smoother flying conditions.

However, the situation rapidly deteriorated. Less than a minute later, the cockpit issued a Mayday distress call, reporting that the aircraft was descending at approximately 10,000 feet per minute.

The reported descent rate subsequently accelerated to 20,000 feet per minute as the crew declared an emergency.

In the final moments, the cockpit warned that the aircraft was about to hit the ground. The descent rate reportedly reached 22,000 feet per minute before the jet began banking.

Approximately 35 seconds after the initial Mayday call, the final words heard from the cockpit were: “We’re out of time.”

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were reported in the area around the time of the accident, according to weather forecaster AccuWeather.

Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, weather conditions, flight data and cockpit communications to establish what caused the deadly crash.