A Learjet crashed in a residential area of Palm Beach County, Florida, killing all nine people on board, according to federal investigators. The private Bombardier-made jet had taken off from Austin, Texas, and was heading to the Bahamas.
The National Transportation Safety Board said the Learjet 60 may have broken up in midair before crashing at high speed. Video recorded by passersby captured the jet’s rapid nosedive on Sunday afternoon. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were occurring in the area where it went down.
The crash occurred moments before the co-pilot, a 20-year-old, sent a message to his boyfriend. The victims included a tech CEO and his family, with the CEO’s father-in-law issuing a statement expressing deep sorrow. The group had been planning a birthday trip to the Bahamas.
The incident has raised questions about the flight’s conditions and the impact of weather on aviation safety. Investigators are examining whether turbulence or mechanical failure contributed to the crash. No official cause has been determined yet.
This is the second fatal plane crash in Florida this month, adding to concerns about regional aviation safety. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report in the coming weeks.
