Florida plane crash: 9 dead after private jet crashes in Palm Beach County, officials say
Video: Private jet crashes in Palm Beach County, Florida
Nine people were aboard a plane when it crashed into the ground in Palm Beach County, Florida, the FAA said. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Dashcam video shared with Storyful by Aki Kuusisto appears to have captured the crash. Content warning: The video may be difficult to watch.
CRESTHAVEN, Fla. - A private business jet traveling from Texas to the Bahamas crashed into a Florida neighborhood Sunday afternoon, killing nine people aboard and forcing hundreds of nearby residents to evacuate, according to officials.
Cresthaven plane crash
What we know:
A Learjet 60 carrying nine people crashed around 12:50 p.m. Sunday in a residential neighborhood near Cresthaven, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA said the flight departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed toward North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas before it went down.
First responders from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department and county fire rescue rushed to the scene immediately. Officials reported that the plane left a massive crater on the side of the road and scattered debris across the area.
"What happened?"
What we don't know:
Federal officials have not yet released the identities or conditions of the nine victims who were aboard the aircraft. It also remains unknown what triggered the private business jet to fall short of its international destination.
Investigators have not confirmed whether anyone on the ground suffered injuries from the falling debris. Federal authorities confirmed that accident investigators are taking control of the probe to determine the official cause.
Palm Beach response
What they're saying:
Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference near the scene to address the devastation.
"Obviously, this was a cataclysmic plane crash. It looked like a missile going down. It left a big crater on the side of the road. I want to commend Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department, as well as the fire rescue. They were here immediately. There was a lot of debris that was spew as a result of this crash. As of now, they don't have any reports of anyone who was on the ground, apart from the people in the plane, who were killed or injured as a result…" said DeSantis.
DeSantis explained that more details will emerge as federal authorities continue their work.
Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter praised the emergency crews who mobilized to secure the area.
"Thank you to fire and rescue, it is definitely a group and team effort to get everything to come together," said Baxter.
Florida Rep. Debra Tendrich also highlighted the community's swift solidarity during the tragedy.
"I just want to say that showing up to this terrible incident. I want to say that this is one of those moments when you can really see how everyone comes together," said Tendrich.
Neighborhood evacuation effort
What's next:
Emergency teams immediately focused on safeguarding families living near the crash.
Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores said crews are helping hundreds of displaced neighbors find emergency shelter and food.
"Our priority is evacuating the adjacent community right behind. We have about 600 people that we have to make sure that they have a shelter tonight, food. We have the Red Cross standing by to make sure that we provide those initial services," said Flores.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Federal Aviation Administration, which confirmed the flight details and casualty count, as well as official statements from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter, Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores, and Florida Rep. Debra Tendrich during a press conference.