Private jet carrying nine crashes near President Trump's Mar-a-Lago in devastating Florida explosion
A Learjet 60 crashed into a residential neighborhood in Palm Beach County, just miles from the president's estate
A private jet carrying nine people plunged into a residential area near Palm Beach , Florida, on Sunday afternoon, causing a devastating explosion and leaving emergency crews searching through burning wreckage just miles from President Donald Trump 's Mar-a-Lago estate.
The Learjet 60 crashed at approximately 12:50pm local time near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North in Greenacres, striking an area close to homes and businesses before erupting into flames.
Witnesses described an enormous explosion that shook nearby buildings, while footage captured the aircraft descending rapidly before a fireball engulfed the crash site.
The impact scattered debris across the surrounding area, damaged power lines and left a substantial crater as thick black smoke rose above the neighborhood.
Reports indicated that several people had died, with one subsequent account placing the death toll at nine. However, the number of fatalities hasn't been consistently confirmed.
The crash occurred approximately eight miles from Mar-a-Lago , where President Trump had hosted a Halloween celebration the previous evening before reportedly departing Florida for a campaign appearance in Iowa.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the twin-engine aircraft had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was travelling toward North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.
"A Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area near Cresthaven, Florida, around 12.50 pm local time on Sunday, November 1. Nine people were on board," the agency said.
Flight-tracking information indicated that the aircraft experienced a sudden descent shortly before impact, although investigators have not established what caused it to lose altitude.
Initial reports suggested the jet struck trees and brought down electrical infrastructure before crashing near a mobile home park.
The FAA confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board would lead the investigation, examining flight data, physical evidence and other information to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Emergency services respond to disaster
Palm Beach County emergency personnel descended on the scene as firefighters attempted to contain the flames and assess damage to surrounding properties.
The sheriff's office closed Military Trail in both directions between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North, urging motorists to avoid the area while rescue operations continued.
Nearby residents described hearing an exceptionally loud impact, with some comparing the explosion to a missile strike. Others reported temporary power outages following the crash.
Emergency responders initially treated the incident as a mass casualty event, while authorities worked to establish whether anyone on the ground had been injured.
Although the aircraft came down within several miles of Trump's Florida residence, officials have not reported any connection between the flight and the president.
Investigators now face the task of determining why the jet suddenly descended over a populated area, while authorities continue assessing the full human and structural consequences of Sunday's disaster.
