Newly released footage has captured the terrifying moment a private jet plunged almost vertically into a Florida street before exploding into a fireball, killing all nine people aboard.
The Learjet 60 crashed on Sunday, November 1, 2026, near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County, as it approached a residential neighbourhood. The impact left a large crater on Military Trail, scattering burning debris across the busy road.
The aircraft had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when it crashed at about 12.50pm local time.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that all nine people aboard had died.
Video footage circulating online appears to show the aircraft descending sharply towards the ground before a massive explosion sends flames and debris across the road.
Hundreds evacuated after devastating crash
The crash triggered an emergency response, with authorities evacuating approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community as firefighters and emergency teams secured the area.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of people on the ground being killed or injured.
Speaking after visiting the scene, DeSantis described the aircraft's final descent as frightening.
“When you see that video, it's a jarring thing,” he said. “It's like a missile coming down, and a massive explosion, debris going everywhere.”
The impact also damaged local infrastructure, including water lines, while sections of Military Trail were closed as emergency crews worked at the scene.
Residents in the surrounding neighbourhood were left shaken by the incident, with debris and flames reported across the crash site.
Air traffic recordings capture pilots' final moments
Air traffic control recordings have provided an account of the crew's final communications before the aircraft went down.
In the exchanges, a crew member reported moderate turbulence and said the aircraft was experiencing icing conditions.
The pilot also reported that the aircraft was encountering precipitation and requested permission to climb.
The situation soon deteriorated.
The crew subsequently reported that the aircraft was descending at approximately 10,000 feet per minute before declaring an emergency.
One of the final transmissions captured the crew member saying: “We are going to crash into the ground.”
About 35 seconds after the initial emergency call, the final recorded remark was: “We're out of time.”
Investigators yet to establish cause
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading investigations into the crash, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Preliminary flight analysis indicates that the aircraft experienced an exceptionally rapid descent shortly before impact.
Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall were also reported in the area around the time of the accident.
However, investigators have not established whether weather conditions, mechanical failure or another factor contributed to the crash.
The NTSB is expected to examine the aircraft wreckage, flight data, weather conditions and communications with air traffic control to establish what happened.
The identities of the nine people who died had not been publicly released in the initial reports.
Authorities are expected to provide further details as investigations continue.
