Nine killed in Florida private jet crash near Mar-a-Lago
A Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area of Palm Beach County on Sunday, killing everyone on board.
Nine people on board a Learjet 60 were killed when the aircraft crashed into a neighbourhood in Florida on Sunday, according to BBC News. The crash occurred around 12:50 EST near Cresthaven, approximately nine miles from President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach County.
The aircraft had departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said. Flight analysis indicated the jet was plummeting at high speeds before the impact.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the crash caused a massive explosion with debris scattering everywhere. He noted that no one on the ground was reported killed or injured, though 600 local residents from a nearby trailer-park community were being evacuated.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the incident as a "horrific tragedy". He stated that the FAA is sending a team to the scene to assist the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its investigation.
The crash happened on Military Trail, a six-lane road featuring businesses and restaurants. The impact caused damage to local infrastructure, including water lines, and officials said it would be at least 30 days before the road re-opens.
The NTSB will lead the investigation into the circumstances of the crash.