Nine Die as Learjet 60 Plunges Into Florida Roadside

The flight departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport before encountering severe weather conditions. While cruising at 35,000 feet, the pilot reported light ice accumulation and moderate turbulence, prompting a request to climb. The situation escalated rapidly as the aircraft lost control, entering a terminal dive that reached speeds of 30,000 feet per minute. Air traffic recordings capture the pilot’s final distress calls, noting an overspeed condition and an inability to stabilize the jet before impact.

Governor Ron DeSantis described the scene as cataclysmic, noting that the jet left a significant crater near the road. While the crash sparked a massive fire, authorities reported no injuries among those on the ground. Palm Beach County officials initiated the evacuation of approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community to facilitate an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. The roadway remains closed as crews process the wreckage.