Nine people have died in a business jet crash in Florida after the aircraft struck a residential neighbourhood in South Florida, officials said. All those on board were killed, while there appeared to be no casualties on the ground, according to Governor Ron DeSantis.
The Learjet 60 was travelling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport confirmed it was a private jet but did not say who was aboard.
DeSantis, speaking at the crash site, described the incident as “cataclysmic”. He said the aircraft “looked like a missile going down, and left a big crater on the side of the road”.
Images and videos circulating online appeared to show the jet hitting the ground at high speed and at a sharp angle before erupting in a large explosion. Footage afterwards showed flames around wreckage and broken sections of pavement, with people gathered nearby.
The aircraft came down only metres from homes and cars. The governor said there appeared to have been no deaths or injuries among people on the ground.
Recordings from the cockpit shortly before the crash captured the pilot discussing “manageable” ice issues before reporting that the jet was rapidly losing altitude.
The crew then said: “We’re going to crash into the ground”.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the incident as a “horrific tragedy”. Federal Aviation Administration staff were travelling to the scene to support a National Transportation Safety Board investigation.
