Breaking: Learjet 60 With 9 People Onboard Fatally Nose Dives In Missile-Like Crash Near Mar-A-Lago

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.A Bombardier Learjet 60 carrying nine people has crashed in a residential area of Palm Beach County, Florida, after plunging towards the ground in a dramatic nose-down descent on November 1, 2026. The aircraft, came down near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North in Greenacres, approximately six miles from President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. The jet erupted into a massive fireball upon impact, prompting an emergency response from local authorities. The circumstances surrounding the sudden descent remain unknown. The aircraft was reportedly flying from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Texas to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) in the Bahamas. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), nine people were aboard the business jet. Flight-tracking information from FlightRadar24 and videos circulating on social media have provided an initial picture of the aircraft's final moments, although investigators will need to establish what caused the accident. What Happened To The Learjet 60? Credit: FlightRadar24 The aircraft involved was a Learjet 60 registered as N722BD, serial number 60-271. According to preliminary flight-tracking information, the business jet departed Austin at about 15:37 UTC, climbed to a cruising altitude of around 41,000 feet, then continued east toward Florida. It subsequently entered a rapid descent over the West Palm Beach area, with tracking data indicating an exceptionally high descent rate shortly before the aircraft disappeared from radar. The aircraft crashed in Greenacres, in Palm Beach County, at approximately 12:50 local time. Videos shared online show the aircraft descending at a steep angle before striking the ground and exploding. The impact reportedly left a crater in the roadway and sent thick black smoke into the surrounding area. Palm Beach County authorities closed Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North while emergency crews responded. The FAA confirmed that nine people were aboard, but initial reporting did not establish the condition of everyone on board or whether anyone was injured on the ground. What We Know About The Aircraft The Learjet 60 is a midsize business jet developed by Bombardier's Learjet division as an evolution of the Learjet 55. It first flew in October 1990 and received certification in January 1993, entering service later that year. The aircraft was designed for corporate and private transportation, combining relatively high cruising speeds with the ability to operate on a variety of business aviation routes. The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW305A turbofan engines mounted on the rear fuselage. Each engine produces approximately 4,600 pounds of thrust, allowing the Learjet 60 to reach a maximum operating altitude of 51,000 feet (15,545 meters). Its swept wings, winglets, and T-tail are characteristic features of the design. The investigation into the Greenacres accident will be led by the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB), with assistance from the FAA. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy subsequently confirmed via X that all nine people aboard had been killed, although their identities had not immediately been released. Investigators will examine the aircraft's maintenance history, engine performance, flight-control systems, weather conditions and recorded flight data to establish why it entered such a dramatic descent. No cause has yet been established. The crash also highlights the importance of examining the final flight data rather than drawing conclusions from dramatic footage alone. While preliminary tracking information indicates an extraordinary descent rate, investigators will need to determine whether the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure, loss of control or another emergency. The NTSB's investigation should provide a clearer understanding of the final moments of the Learjet and the circumstances that led to the fatal accident.