Learjet 60 falls at 30,000 feet per minute before killing all nine on board

A Learjet 60 carrying nine passengers and crew descended at a rate of 30,000 feet per minute before striking a roadway in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday. The aircraft, which was traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to the Bahamas, exploded upon impact. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed via social media that all individuals on board were killed in the crash.

Air traffic control recordings show the jet was cruising at 35,000 feet when the pilots reported encountering turbulence, icing, and precipitation. The pilot requested a climb of 2,000 feet. Minutes later, the aircraft began a steep dive. Tracking data indicates the descent rate accelerated from 10,000 to 20,000 feet per minute, reaching 30,000 feet per minute before the jet banked sharply to the right and hit the ground at 12:50 p.m.

The pilot issued distress calls during the rapid loss of altitude. Radio transmissions captured by LiveATC.net recorded the pilot stating, "We're descending 8,000, mayday, mayday - we're descending 10,000 feet per minute." As the situation worsened, the pilot reported an overspeed condition at 20,000 feet per minute. The final transmission before impact was, "We're going to crash into the ground."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited the site and described the event to reporters. "It was a cataclysmic plane crash," DeSantis said. "It looked like a missile going down and left a big crater on the side of the road." He noted that there were no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities among people on the ground. The crash site is located in Greenacres, a city of 45,000 people situated approximately 7 miles southwest of West Palm Beach.

Palm Beach County authorities evacuated roughly 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community as federal agencies began their assessment. The roadway where the jet struck remains closed until further notice. Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, identified the aircraft as a private jet but could not immediately release the names of those aboard. The National Transportation Safety Board has sent investigators to the site, with a media briefing scheduled for Monday in West Palm Beach.

Weather conditions on Sunday included heavy rain and a flood watch that remained in effect through Monday afternoon. Aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo suggested that icing and turbulence may have contributed to a stall at cruising altitude. He noted that investigators will examine how the pilot responded to the reported conditions. The FAA is supporting the NTSB's inquiry into the cause of the crash.