All nine aboard Learjet 60 killed in crash near Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago resort in Palm Beach County

A private business jet crashed into a residential neighbourhood in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday, 1 November 2026, killing all nine people on board. The aircraft, a Learjet 60, had departed from Austin, Texas, bound for the Bahamas when it descended rapidly and struck a multi‑lane road near the Cresthaven community. The impact created a large crater and a fireball that illuminated nearby homes, but no injuries were reported among residents on the ground.

The crash occurred at approximately 12:50 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (17:50 GMT), about nine miles (14 km) from the Mar‑a‑Lago resort where U.S. President Donald Trump was staying earlier in the day. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the event as a “cataclysmic plane crash” and likened the aircraft’s trajectory to a missile, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called it a “horrific tragedy.”

Background

The Learjet 60 was operating a private flight from Austin to the Bahamas when it encountered severe weather conditions over South Florida. Cockpit audio captured by air‑traffic control revealed the crew reporting moderate turbulence, icing, and precipitation, followed by a request to climb. Shortly thereafter, the same voice reported a descent rate of roughly 10,000 ft per minute. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the aircraft’s flight plan and noted that the crew had mentioned difficulties managing ice before the crash.

Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been tasked with investigating the incident. Preliminary data from flight‑data recorders indicate an extremely rapid descent shortly before impact. Video footage recorded by motorists showed the jet striking the roadway at a near‑vertical angle, creating a flaming crater and a plume of black smoke that lingered over the crash site.

The crash site is located near the Cresthaven neighbourhood, less than seven miles (11 km) from Mar‑a‑Lago. President Trump had departed the resort earlier that morning, boarding Air Force One at the nearby President Donald J. Trump International Airport at 11:55 a.m. (16:55 GMT), roughly an hour before the jet went down.

Why it matters

The loss of nine lives underscores the risks associated with private aviation, especially when operating in adverse weather. The incident prompted the evacuation of approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile‑home park as emergency crews secured the area. While no ground casualties were reported, the proximity of the crash to residential properties raised concerns about potential injuries and property damage.

State officials, including Governor DeSantis, highlighted the need for thorough safety reviews of aircraft operating in the region, particularly regarding icing conditions. The FAA’s involvement signals a broader regulatory focus on weather‑related hazards for business jets. Additionally, the crash occurred in a high‑profile location, drawing national and international media attention due to its closeness to the President’s residence.

What happens next

The FAA and NTSB will conduct a joint investigation, analysing flight‑data and cockpit‑voice recordings, weather reports, and aircraft maintenance records to determine the precise cause of the crash. Officials have not yet released a timeline for the investigation’s findings. In the meantime, emergency services continue to manage the crash site, and authorities are monitoring the evacuated mobile‑home park for any residual safety concerns.

The incident has also prompted statements from federal transportation officials, with Secretary Sean Duffy confirming the fatalities and expressing condolences to the families of the victims. No further details about the identities of the passengers or crew have been released pending notification of next‑of‑kin.

The crash remains a focal point for discussions on aviation safety, emergency response protocols, and the impact of severe weather on private flight operations.