Learjet 60 crashes in Greenacres, killing all 9 aboard

Nine people died when a LearJet 60 executive aircraft crashed into a road in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed there were no survivors among the occupants.

The accident occurred around 12:50 p.m. Eastern Time, approximately seven miles southwest of West Palm Beach. The impact created a large, flaming crater in the pavement and forced the closure of Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10 North Avenue. The aircraft, manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace, was en route from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.

Air traffic control recordings show the pilot reporting deteriorating conditions before the crash. At 35,000 feet, the pilot described clear ice accumulation and moderate turbulence. The jet was traveling east when the pilot requested permission to ascend another 2,000 feet. Moments later, the pilot declared an emergency as the plane began a steep descent.

"We are descending 8,000, mayday, mayday, we are descending at 10,000 feet per minute," the pilot stated over radio. The situation worsened rapidly as the aircraft entered an overspeed condition. The pilot reported a descent rate of 20,000 feet per minute before declaring, "We are going to crash into the ground." The jet banked sharply to the right before striking the road and exploding.

Residents in the vicinity described the impact as violent. Abelino Temaj, a resident of a nearby mobile home community, said the sound resembled a missile, followed by a shaking of the ground. Another witness told Telemundo 51 that the scene looked like a meteorite had struck the earth, with water spraying from the crater and a large fire spreading. Anthony Blackmon, living about 500 feet from the crash site, said debris hit his house and the road was on fire. He described the experience as terrifying, noting that he had never seen an aviation accident so close.

Roger Forcelle, another nearby resident, felt the aircraft pass over his home just before the crash. He said the vibration shook the entire house and that he believed the jet landed less than half a mile from his residence. After seeing a smoke plume rise from the area, Forcelle could not return home after running errands. Authorities evacuated hundreds of people from the mobile home park to ensure safety.

District 3 Commissioner Joel Flores stated that officials were working to secure safe overnight accommodations for the approximately 600 people affected by the evacuation. The identities of the nine victims have not yet been released. The aircraft, a 58-foot jet with a maximum capacity of two crew members and eight passengers, had a range of just over 2,400 nautical miles.

Federal investigators are expected to provide an update on the cause of the crash on Monday. Rain was reported in the region on Sunday, contributing to the weather conditions cited by the pilot. The immediate cause of the accident remained unclear as emergency crews worked the scene.