Jet crash in Florida: All nine people aboard killed, says Transportation Secretary

Law enforcement respond to a plane crash in Palm Beach County, Fla., on November 1, 2026 | Photo Credit: AP All nine people died aboard a business jet that crashed into a Florida neighborhood, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Sunday (November 1, 2026).The aircraft departed from Austin, Texas, and was headed to the Bahamas. Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team to support the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation into the cause.The Learjet 60 carrying nine people nose-dived into a South Florida neighborhood on Sunday (November 1, 2026) and erupted into a giant fireball that appeared to just miss homes before crashing near a busy roadway, creating a giant fiery crater in the pavement. Roads remain closed after a Learjet 60 believed to be carrying nine people crashed in a residential area in Palm Beach County, Florida, on November 1, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters The aircraft had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to the Bahamas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Authorities did not immediately say what caused the jet to go down or who was on it.Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, said it was a private aircraft. He could not immediately provide details about who was on the flight.“This is definitely a tragedy,” he said.He said the tail number for the flight was N722BD.Video shot from people inside their cars captured the terrifying moment the aircraft plunged from the sky, before striking near the roadway and exploding. Flames flickered around chunks of pavement lining the crater as people milled about, expressing shock it landed only feet from homes and only inches from passing vehicles. Thick black smoke engulfed the crash site.It was unclear if the crash caused any damage to homes.The crash occurred near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office closed roads in both directions and urged motorists to avoid the area. Firefighters and other emergency personnel rushed to the scene.A woman working nearby said electricity in the area had been out for approximately two hours following the crash. Published - November 02, 2026 07:28 am IST