9 killed as Learjet crashes near homes in South Florida.

9 aboard Learjet killed as jet crashes in Florida, erupts into fireball

A Learjet 60 carrying nine people crashed in a residential area near Cresthaven, Florida, on Sunday, killing everyone on board. The aircraft was travelling from Texas to the Bahamas. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Learjet was travelling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas
  • Jet plunged into a South Florida neighbourhood before exploding
  • Crash created a massive fiery crater near a busy roadway

All nine people aboard a business jet were killed after it crashed into a residential neighbourhood in South Florida on Sunday, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

The Learjet 60, which departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when it crashed near Cresthaven in Florida.

Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was sending a team to assist the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in investigating the cause of the crash.

The aircraft, carrying nine people, nose-dived into the neighbourhood before erupting into a massive fireball. It crashed near a busy roadway, leaving a large, fiery crater in the pavement. The flames appeared to narrowly miss nearby homes.

9 aboard Learjet killed as jet crashes in Florida, erupts into fireball

Video footage recorded by people inside passing cars captured the terrifying moment the aircraft plunged from the sky and exploded on impact. Thick black smoke engulfed the crash site as flames flickered around chunks of broken pavement.

People gathered near the site, expressing shock that the aircraft had crashed just feet from residential homes and inches from passing vehicles.

Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed that the aircraft was privately operated. He identified its tail number as N722BD but said he could not immediately provide details about those aboard.

"This is definitely a tragedy," Reynolds said.

The FAA and NTSB are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

- Ends