PALM BEACH COUNTY, Florida: Nine people have died after a private Learjet 60 crashed near Military Trail in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday, November 1, 2026, prompting a federal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deadly aviation disaster.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft crashed at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time in the Greenacres area, near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North. All nine people aboard were killed.
The Learjet had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was travelling to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when the incident occurred.
The aircraft came down in a residential area, producing a major explosion, fires and extensive debris. Images from the scene showed significant damage and a large crater near a mobile home community.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the incident as a major tragedy, acknowledging the scale of destruction and praising emergency responders for their efforts.
The crash also disrupted life for residents in the surrounding neighbourhood. Local authorities estimated that approximately 600 people from a nearby mobile home community would need temporary relocation while emergency operations and investigations continued.
Military Trail was closed in both directions as law enforcement and emergency personnel secured the area. Residents and motorists were advised to avoid the affected roads.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation, with assistance from the FAA, to establish what caused the aircraft to crash.
Preliminary reports indicate that the flight crew encountered challenging weather conditions, including turbulence and icing, before the aircraft entered a rapid descent. Investigators will examine flight data, cockpit communications, weather conditions and the aircraft’s mechanical history as part of the inquiry.
Authorities have yet to establish an official cause of the crash.
The tragedy has left families mourning nine lives lost, while investigators work to establish the sequence of events behind one of South Florida’s devastating aviation incidents.