A Learjet 60 crashed near Military Trail after declaring an emergency; all nine aboard died.
Why it matters: The crash puts the aircraft's emergency sequence, operator, flight history and safety oversight under scrutiny. The NTSB is leading the investigation, with FAA support.
- The Learjet 60, registration N722BD, crashed near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County at about 12:50 p.m. on November 1, 2026.
- The aircraft departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.
- The crew reported light, clear icing, moderate turbulence and precipitation before requesting a climb.
- The pilot then reported descent rates of about 8,000, 10,000 and 20,000 feet per minute and declared an emergency.
The Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area near Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North, authorities said. Both directions of Military Trail were closed after the crash. All nine people aboard died.
The aircraft left Austin at about 15:37 UTC for North Eleuthera Airport. Flight-tracking data reviewed by Flightradar24 showed a steep right-hand descent near South Florida and a final recorded altitude of about 8,750 feet.
Public ATC audio indicates the crew first reported, "We have light, clear ice that is manageable and moderate turbulence." After requesting a climb, the pilot reported a rapid descent: "We're descending 8,000 - mayday, mayday - we're descending 10,000 feet per minute." The pilot later said, "We are in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute." The final reported transmission was, "We're gonna crash ... We're out of time." AP reviewed the ATC audio and reported the emergency sequence.
The FAA registry identifies the aircraft as N722BD, serial number 271, and lists LR60271 LLC of Wilmington, Delaware, as its registered owner. The registry shows a fixed-wing, multiengine turbofan aircraft with registration issued January 4, 2023, and expiring January 31, 2030. The legal owner may not be the flight's operator or charter provider.
The FAA said the NTSB is leading the investigation. The NTSB dispatched a go-team and planned a November 2 briefing in West Palm Beach. Investigators had not established whether icing, turbulence, precipitation, a system malfunction, flight-control or trim problems, crew response, maintenance or operating procedures contributed to the crash.
By the numbers
- 9 - people aboard, all of whom died
- 20,000 feet per minute - final reported descent rate
- 8,750 feet - approximate final altitude recorded by flight tracking
Yes, but: The emergency sequence is based on public ATC audio and flight-tracking data, not an NTSB reconstruction. No official cause has been established, and the registered owner is not necessarily the operator.
What's next: The NTSB is expected to provide updates after its go-team's examination and its planned November 2 media briefing in West Palm Beach.