GREENACRES, Fla. (Azat TV) – All nine people aboard a private business jet died on Sunday afternoon, November 1, 2026, when the aircraft crashed into a residential area in Palm Beach County, Florida, and erupted into a massive fireball near a busy roadway, according to federal and state officials.
The Learjet 60, registered as N722BD and privately operated, had departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was en route to the Bahamas, WPTV reported. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the aircraft came down at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North in Greenacres, leaving a large crater in the pavement and sending thick black smoke over the neighbourhood.
Flight Dynamics and Weather Conditions
According to air traffic control recordings and flight tracking data cited by KPBS, the aircraft was cruising at 35,000 feet when the crew reported encountering turbulence and icing. The pilot initially requested to climb 2,000 feet before the situation rapidly deteriorated.
Flight data indicates the aircraft entered a steep, unprecedented dive, descending between 10,000 and 30,000 feet per minute, which sped the plane beyond its design limits. The pilot issued a mayday distress call before the aircraft banked sharply to the right and plunged into the ground. Weather data showed heavy rain and a flood watch across the region at the time of the incident.
Ground Impact and Evacuations
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the crash site on Sunday, describing the incident as a “cataclysmic plane crash” that “looked like a missile going down.” Speaking alongside local authorities, DeSantis confirmed that no ground injuries or fatalities had been reported immediately following the impact.
However, the structural and community impact of the crash was extensive. Palm Beach County officials announced that approximately 600 residents living in a nearby mobile home community must be relocated because the crash site is an active crime scene. Two emergency shelters were placed on standby, and public transit agency Palm Tran arranged transport for displaced residents.
Investigation and Road Closures
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on social media that the federal government is mobilizing support for the inquiry. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the exact cause of the tragedy, with assistance from an FAA technical team.
Local law enforcement closed Military Trail between 10th Avenue North and Purdy Lane/Alameda Drive until further notice. County officials warned that portions of the thoroughfare will remain closed for an extended period to accommodate federal investigators and heavy debris removal.