A Learjet 60 carrying nine people crashed into a residential street in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday, killing everyone on board. The jet had taken off from Austin, Texas, and was bound for the Bahamas when it encountered severe conditions over southern Florida. Sky News released the air traffic control recording on November 2, 2026, revealing a harrowing sequence of transmissions in the seconds before the aircraft went down near Cresthaven, roughly nine miles from President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort.
In the audio, a voice from the cockpit first flagged moderate turbulence and reported that the crew was handling ice build-up on the aircraft. The same voice then warned that the plane was collecting precipitation and needed to gain altitude. Within moments, the situation deteriorated sharply, with the crew member reporting the jet was dropping at a rate of 10,000 feet per minute. A full emergency was then declared.
The pilot yelled that the aircraft was "in an overspeed condition descending 20,000ft per minute" and that they were "going to crash into the ground." Roughly 35 seconds after the initial mayday, the final transmission came through: "We're out of time." Flight data showed the aircraft was falling hundreds of feet per second before it struck Military Trail, a busy six-lane road flanked by businesses and restaurants, around 12:50 EST.
The impact carved a large crater into the road and sent fire and debris across the scene, though no one on the ground was reported killed or injured. Unverified dashcam footage circulating on social media appeared to show the jet nosediving almost vertically before exploding into a large fireball. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, speaking at a news conference, described the footage as deeply unsettling.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue declared a mass casualty incident, and around 600 residents from a nearby trailer-park community were evacuated. Local officials said damage to water lines and other infrastructure meant the road would remain closed for at least 30 days. Thunderstorms had been sweeping the area at the time of the crash.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the incident a "horrific tragedy" and confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration was dispatching a team to assist the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation. "Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we lost," Duffy said. The identities of those aboard had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
Social media users reacted with grief after the audio was made public, with many expressing shock and sadness at the pilot's final words. The incident has sparked an outpouring of condolences for the victims and their families. The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Key points
- The pilot reported moderate turbulence and icing before declaring an emergency as the jet plummeted at 20,000 feet per minute.
- The final transmission from the cockpit was "We're out of time," roughly 35 seconds after the initial mayday call.
- The crash killed all 9 people aboard and had a significant impact on the surrounding area, with 600 residents evacuated and the road closed for at least 30 days.
