A Learjet 60 carrying nine people crashed into a Florida mobile home park on Sunday, resulting in a "cataclysmic" event that killed all aboard and prompted the evacuation of approximately 600 residents. The aircraft was en route to the Bahamas when it plummeted to the ground and exploded into a fireball at the entrance to the Greenacres mobile home community around 1:25 p.m.
Governor Ron DeSantis described the scene as looking "like a missile going down," noting the significant crater and debris field left by the impact. "There was a lot of debris that was spewed as a result of this crash," DeSantis stated during a press conference, adding that there were no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities among those on the ground.
Dashcam footage captured the jet descending rapidly before impact, with air traffic control audio revealing the pilot's final words: "holy f–k, we’re out of time." Emergency responders were on the scene quickly, with local officials working to ensure displaced residents had shelter and food. The crash also decimated the main entrance to the mobile community, prompting concerns about alternative traffic routes.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation, sending a "go-team" to the crash site. Meteorologists noted that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms with reduced visibility were present in the area at the time of the crash, creating challenging weather conditions.
The identities of the victims had not been publicly released as of Sunday night. The NTSB was expected to hold a press conference on Monday morning to provide further details.