At least nine people have died after a private Learjet crashed into a South Florida mobile home park, triggering a devastating fireball and apparently destroying at least one trailer.
The $2 million Learjet 60 was carrying nine people on a flight from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when it crashed in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 1.
Authorities initially described the incident as a “mass casualty incident” and said there were multiple fatalities. It was not immediately clear whether anyone on the ground was among those killed or injured.
Jet Reportedly Nosedived From 8,000 Feet
The aircraft had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and was bound for the Bahamas when the flight took a dramatic turn.
According to BocaNewsNow, the Learjet made a sharp right turn before plunging from an altitude of 8,000 feet and crashing into the ground.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was carrying nine people. Reports from the scene indicated that the aircraft clipped a tree and brought down power lines before crashing into the residential area.
One account described the impact as so powerful that it “sounded like a missile.”
Dashcam footage captured the moment the aircraft struck the ground, sending a huge fireball into the air.
Video Shows Crater, Flames and Wreckage
Shocking footage from the aftermath showed a large crater at the crash site, surrounded by burning aircraft debris and the wreckage of a mobile home.
Thick black smoke could be seen rising over the neighborhood as emergency crews responded to the scene.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue described the crash as a “mass casualty incident” but did not initially provide further details about the number of victims or whether anyone inside the mobile home park had been injured or killed.
Authorities have since confirmed at least nine deaths.
Roads Closed as Investigation Continues
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office closed several roads around the crash site and urged drivers to stay away from the area for the foreseeable future.
Greenacres is located in Palm Beach County near Palm Springs and includes communities of modular and mobile homes.
The circumstances surrounding the Learjet’s sudden descent remain under investigation.
The aircraft was headed to the Bahamas when the tragedy unfolded, leaving behind a scene of widespread destruction marked by flames, wreckage and a massive crater in the residential neighborhood.
This remains a developing story, and further details may emerge as authorities continue their investigation.