A private jet carrying nine people has crashed near Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, with audio capturing the final moments of those onboard as the Learjet 60 plummeted to the ground in Greenacres, Palm Beach County
Nine people have died after a private jet crash close to a mobile home park, merely six miles from Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago residence.
The Learjet 60 plummeted into a residential neighbourhood in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, at approximately 12.50pm EST (5.50pm GMT) on Sunday, officials confirmed. Reports suggest it struck a tree and knocked down electricity cables during the incident.
The aircraft had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was travelling towards North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. The plane vanished from flight-tracking systems after dropping roughly 27,000ft within the span of a minute.
Officials have not yet established the cause behind the aircraft’s descent, however, distressing audio from the plane revealed the final moments experienced by those aboard.
The jet was travelling eastbound at 35,000 feet when crew members reported turbulence, ice formation and bad weather conditions. The pilot declared an emergency situation as the plane started losing height at a worrying speed, reports the Express.
“We are in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute,” the pilot communicated via radio, before delivering a heartbreaking realisation of their fate.
“We’re going to crash into the ground.”
Jim Reynolds, a representative for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, was unable to immediately share information regarding the passengers on the flight.
“This is definitely a tragedy,” Mr Reynolds commented. Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident, stating: “An incident involving an aircraft is currently under investigation in the area of Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North.”
Roads in both directions were shut down by the sheriff’s office, with motorists urged to steer clear of the area
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The Learjet 60, a mid-size business jet, typically carries six to seven passengers along with two crew members.
Flight tracking service Flightradar24 revealed the jet had taken off from Austin, Texas, bound for the Bahamas, reaching a cruising altitude of 41,000 feet.
“At 17:35, near Naples, FL, the aircraft began a descent to 35,000 feet. At 17:48, the aircraft briefly climbed before entering a steep, right-hand descent,” Flightradar24 added.
Shocking dashcam footage captured the horrifying moment the jet nosedived into the tarmac before erupting into a massive fireball, with flames and thick black smoke billowing from the wreckage.
Stunned locals gathered at the scene, with witnesses telling local outlet Boca News Now the impact sounded like a missile strike.
Both the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash, with the NTSB taking the lead, according to the FAA.
This marks the second deadliest aviation disaster in the US this year, following a skydiving plane crash in Butler, Missouri, in June, which claimed all 12 lives on board.