A routine flight from Texas to the Bahamas ended in tragedy Sunday when a Learjet 60 came down in a residential area of Palm Beach County, leaving nine people
dead.The aircraft crashed near Military Trail in Greenacres shortly before 1 p.m., erupting into flames and leaving wreckage scattered across the area.
The jet had taken off from Austin, Texas, and was bound for North Eleuthera in the Bahamas. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed there were no survivors among the nine people aboard.
The impact also disrupted the surrounding community. Emergency officials evacuated approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community while crews secured the crash site.
Attention has now shifted to the final moments of the flight. Air traffic control recordings indicate the crew reported icing and turbulence before declaring an emergency as the aircraft rapidly lost altitude.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The cause of the crash and the identities of those killed have not yet been officially released.
ICN News Desk
