A private jet carrying nine people crashed just eight miles from Mar-a-Lago in Florida, erupting into a massive fire and producing an explosion heard for miles.
The $2 million Learjet 60 plunged 32,000 feet in roughly one minute before slamming into the ground near Greenacres in Palm Beach County, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The impact sent towering flames and thick smoke rising from the roadside.
A deep crater was left at the crash site, surrounded by a broad area of scattered aircraft debris.
The twin-engine business jet went down near South Military Trail and Marilyn Drive at about 12:50 p.m. The identities of those on board were not immediately released.
Flight data showed the aircraft had departed Austin, Texas, bound for North Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Its journey ended abruptly near West Palm Beach.
President Donald Trump had hosted a Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday night, but he is believed to have left for Iowa before the crash occurred.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office told Our News Outlet that it was responding to a “mass casualty aircraft-related incident,” but released no additional information.
Dashcam video captured the aircraft plunging sharply toward the ground before a huge fireball erupted at the point of impact.
The Learjet 60, a twin-engine business jet, crashed near South Military Trail and Marilyn Drive at about 12:50 p.m.
Dashcam footage shows the aircraft crashing near the road and exploding into a massive fireball. The FAA said nine people were on board.
The FAA said the $2 million Learjet 60 dropped 32,000 feet in about a minute, triggering a huge blaze and sending smoke over the roadside in Greenacres, Palm Beach County.
Several local reports said residents heard a powerful boom before the ground began shaking and flames engulfed the crash site.
One person said they were “lifted from the ground,” while another compared the noise of the impact to a missile strike.
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The force of the crash, which occurred only eight miles from the President’s estate, also brought down power lines.
Officials have not determined what caused the crash, nor have they confirmed whether anyone was injured or killed. The site is located near several businesses and mobile-home communities.
Military Trail was closed in both directions between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North, with the road remaining shut until further notice.
The FAA said: “A Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area near Cresthaven, Florida, around 12:50 p.m. local time on Sunday, November 1. Nine people were on board.
The impact left a large crater surrounded by scattered debris. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office told Our News Outlet it was handling a “mass casualty aircraft-related incident,” but provided no further details.
The crash occurred eight miles from Mar-a-Lago, pictured, and the Trump golf course.
Trump carries an umbrella while boarding Air Force One before departing for Dubuque, Iowa. He had left the area before the private jet crashed in West Palm Beach.
“The aircraft departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.
“The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide all updates.”
Trump had spent the night at his Palm Beach resort, where he celebrated Halloween by hosting hundreds of guests at a jungle-themed party.
The President appeared at the event dressed as himself. “I’ve spent nine hours getting ready,” he joked. “I had ten minutes, so I came as Donald Trump tonight! Hello, everybody.”
He traveled to Iowa today for the final stop of his midterm campaign.
This is a breaking news story.
