Learjet 60 crash in Palm Beach County kills all nine aboard

All nine people aboard a Bombardier Learjet 60 were killed when the business jet crashed beside a road in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday 1 November 2026. According to AeroTime, the crew had reported icing and turbulence and then declared an emergency during a rapid descent. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation.

What happened

The aircraft, registered N722BD, was flying from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. Simple Flying reports that the FAA said nine people were aboard, and that the jet came down near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North, roughly six miles from Mar-a-Lago. The FAA put the time of the crash at about 12:50 local time. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that everyone on board had died.

Dashcam video described by AeroTime shows the jet descending almost vertically beneath dark clouds before hitting the ground and erupting in a fireball, leaving a large crater near homes and passing vehicles. AeroTime adds that, in still frames from the footage, the aircraft appears to be missing its horizontal stabiliser. This has not been confirmed as a cause.

Radio calls and flight data

AeroTime cites air traffic control recordings from LiveATC in which the crew reported turbulence causing altitude deviations of up to 700 feet. The pilot said: "We have light, clear ice that is manageable and moderate turbulence." The crew then reported precipitation and asked to climb.

Shortly afterwards the pilot declared an emergency, reporting descent rates rising from 8,000 to 10,000 and then 20,000 feet per minute, along with an overspeed condition. Flightradar24 data, as reported by AeroTime, shows the jet began descending towards 35,000 feet near Naples, requested 37,000 feet, and briefly climbed at about 12:48 before entering a steep descending right turn. The reported descent rate exceeded 32,000 feet per minute, and the last altitude received was 8,750 feet at 12:49:22.

Simple Flying says the jet had climbed to about 41,000 feet after leaving Austin. The sources differ slightly on the departure time: Simple Flying gives 3:37 UTC, while AeroTime gives 09:37 local time.

Weather and the response

AeroTime reports that rain and strong thunderstorms were affecting South Florida, with the National Weather Service citing an upper-level low and a flood watch covering Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Palm Beach County authorities closed Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of anyone on the ground being killed or injured, and local officials were arranging shelter and help for about 600 nearby residents.

The NTSB is leading the inquiry with FAA assistance. AeroTime says investigators were due to arrive on Sunday and Monday, with a media briefing planned in West Palm Beach on 2 November. Simple Flying notes that investigators will examine maintenance history, engines, flight controls, weather and recorded data. No cause has been established, and the occupants' names have not been released.

What this means for travellers

The crash involved a private business jet and does not affect scheduled airline services. Drivers should expect disruption around Military Trail in Greenacres while the scene is worked. For private-jet users and frequent flyers, the main point is that the cause is unknown: the icing and turbulence reports, the weather and the possible structural damage seen in video are all unconfirmed as factors until the NTSB reports its findings.

Sources: Simple Flying; AeroTime.