LearJet 60 Crash in Greenacres Kills Nine as Airline Declares Emergency

A LearJet 60 executive jet crashed in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday at approximately 12:50 p.m. Eastern Time, killing all nine people on board. The aircraft, which was traveling from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, struck the road nose-first and burst into flames. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that there were no survivors. The identities of the individuals have not yet been released.

The crash site is located about seven miles southwest of West Palm Beach. The impact created a large crater in the roadway, forcing authorities to close Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and North Avenue 10. Debris scattered across the surrounding area, and the fire spread to nearby structures. Local officials stated that they were working to secure temporary housing for approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home park who were displaced by the incident.

Joel Flores, the District 3 Commissioner, said authorities were prioritizing the safety of the affected residents during the night of the crash. The aircraft involved was a Bombardier Aerospace LearJet 60, a mid-size jet with a maximum capacity of two crew members and eight passengers. The 58-foot aircraft has a range of just over 2,400 nautical miles.

Air traffic control recordings show the pilot reporting weather-related issues while the plane was flying east at 35,000 feet. The pilot described clear, light ice accumulation and moderate turbulence, noting that the turbulence was shaking the aircraft by 700 feet. Rain was reported in the region that day. The pilot requested permission to climb another 2,000 feet but quickly declared an emergency as the jet lost altitude rapidly.

Radio communications captured by LiveATC.net indicate the plane was descending at 8,000 feet per minute when the pilot broadcast a mayday call. The descent rate accelerated to 10,000 feet per minute and then to 20,000 feet per minute as the aircraft entered an overspeed condition. The pilot stated that the jet would strike the ground. The aircraft banked sharply to the right before impacting the earth and exploding.

Witnesses in the neighborhood described the impact as a loud boom similar to a missile strike. Abelino Temaj, a resident of the mobile home community, said he heard the sound and felt the ground shake. Another resident told Telemundo 51 that the scene resembled a meteor hitting the ground, with water spraying from the crater and a large fire burning nearby.

Anthony Blackmon, who lived about 500 feet from the crash site, reported that debris hit his home and that the road was on fire. He described the event as terrifying, noting that he had always seen such accidents in the news but never expected one to happen so close. Roger Forcelle, another nearby resident, said he felt the aircraft pass over his house shortly before the crash. He reported that the vibration shook the entire structure and that he could not return home after leaving to run errands due to the smoke and scene.

The cause of the accident was not immediately clear. Federal investigators are expected to provide an update on Monday. The FAA is leading the investigation into the crash, which resulted in the total loss of the aircraft and the deaths of all passengers and crew.