Nine people have been confirmed dead after a private jet crashed into a residential neighbourhood in Palm Beach County, Florida, close to US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
The fatal incident occurred on Sunday, November 1, 2026, involving a Learjet 60 travelling from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas.
According to officials, the aircraft crashed near Cresthaven, a residential community located less than seven miles from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that all nine people aboard the aircraft lost their lives, describing the incident as a horrific tragedy.
The Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, also addressed reporters near the crash site, describing the incident as catastrophic.
He said the aircraft appeared to be descending like a missile before hitting the ground and exploding.
PLANE EXPLODES UPON IMPACT
Videos circulating on social media showed the aircraft descending at an extremely steep angle before crashing into the ground, producing a massive explosion.
The impact created a large crater near a busy road, while burning debris and thick smoke spread across the surrounding area.
The aircraft reportedly crashed close to the entrance of a mobile home park, raising concerns about the safety of residents in the neighbourhood.
Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores disclosed that approximately 600 residents were evacuated from the affected community and relocated to two temporary shelters.
Authorities, however, said there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths among people on the ground.
PILOT REPORTED ICE ACCUMULATION AND TURBULENCE BEFORE CRASH
An air traffic control recording has provided details of the aircraft’s final moments before the accident.
According to the recording, a crew member initially informed air traffic controllers that the aircraft was experiencing moderate turbulence and dealing with ice accumulation.
The pilot also reported that the aircraft was encountering precipitation and requested to climb in search of better flying conditions.
The situation reportedly deteriorated rapidly, with the crew eventually declaring an emergency.
During the final communication, the pilot announced that the aircraft was descending at approximately 10,000 feet per minute before reporting that the descent rate had increased to 20,000 feet per minute.
The crew member was heard warning that the aircraft was about to crash into the ground before communication was lost.
Flight-tracking information subsequently indicated that the aircraft’s vertical descent rate briefly exceeded 32,000 feet per minute.
Investigators are expected to examine the recording, flight data and physical evidence from the crash site to establish what caused the aircraft to lose control.
TRUMP HAD LEFT THE AREA BEFORE THE CRASH
The accident happened in the same Palm Beach County area where President Donald Trump owns his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Trump had reportedly been in the area earlier on Sunday but departed aboard Air Force One from the nearby President Donald J. Trump International Airport approximately an hour before the crash.
His departure occurred shortly before the Learjet went down.
There has been no indication that the President or members of his travelling delegation were involved in the incident.
FAA AND NTSB BEGIN INVESTIGATION
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that it would investigate the crash alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The investigation will focus on the aircraft’s final flight movements, weather conditions, communications between the pilots and air traffic controllers, and possible mechanical or operational problems.
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were reported in the region around the time of the accident, although investigators have not established whether the weather contributed to the crash.
The aircraft’s manufacturer, Bombardier, also indicated its willingness to cooperate fully with investigators.
As of the latest reports, authorities had not publicly identified all nine victims or established the precise cause of the tragedy.
The investigation is expected to provide further answers about the circumstances that led to one of the deadliest Learjet 60 accidents in recent years.
