A business jet crashed near West Palm Beach on Sunday, killing all nine people aboard. The West Palm Beach plane crash left a large crater near homes and forced hundreds of residents from the area.
The Learjet 60 went down around 12:50 p.m. on Nov. 1 near Cresthaven and Greenacres. The crash occurred about seven miles southwest of West Palm Beach.
The family of 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha identified her as one of the victims. Authorities have not released the names of the other eight people aboard.
What Happened in the West Palm Beach Plane Crash
The Learjet departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. It was traveling to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The aircraft crashed near South Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North. Videos recorded by witnesses showed the jet descending rapidly before striking the ground and exploding.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the impact created a large crater along the roadway. Aircraft debris also spread across the surrounding area.
No deaths or injuries were immediately reported on the ground. The jet narrowly missed nearby homes and passing vehicles.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that all nine people aboard died.
Family Identifies Co-Pilot Nathalia Gadelha
Gadelha’s mother and stepfather identified her as the Learjet’s co-pilot in comments reported by The Daily Beast.
Gadelha earned her private pilot’s license at age 17 while attending West Boca Raton High School. She had pursued aviation from a young age and planned to fly professionally.
Federal and local authorities have not released an official victim list. The pilot in command and the remaining people aboard had not been publicly identified as of Monday.
The aircraft carried the registration number N722BD, according to flight-tracking information. FAA records list the plane to LR60271 LLC, a company registered in Delaware.
However, an aircraft’s registered owner may differ from its operator. Officials have not confirmed who operated the flight or whether it was a private or charter trip.
Pilots Reported Icing and Turbulence
The aircraft was flying east at approximately 35,000 feet when the crew reported problems, according to air traffic control recordings.
A pilot reported clear ice accumulating on the jet. The crew also described moderate turbulence and precipitation.
The pilots requested permission to climb another 2,000 feet. Moments later, the aircraft began losing altitude rapidly.
A pilot declared an emergency and reported a descent of thousands of feet per minute. The aircraft then entered an overspeed condition before communication ended.
Heavy rain affected South Florida on Sunday. However, investigators have not determined whether weather or icing caused the crash.
Federal investigators caution against reaching conclusions during the early stages of an investigation. Teams must review the aircraft, maintenance records, weather conditions and crew communications.
Federal Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation. The FAA is providing additional support.
Investigators will examine recovered wreckage, radar information and flight-tracking data. They will also review air traffic control recordings and the pilots’ qualifications.
The NTSB planned to provide an update Monday in West Palm Beach. A preliminary report could take several weeks. Determining the final cause may take more than a year.
Residents Evacuated and Road Closed
Palm Beach County officials said about 600 people near the crash site needed temporary relocation. The evacuations affected residents of a nearby mobile home community.
A section of Military Trail remained closed Monday because of the debris field and damaged roadway. Officials warned that the closure could continue during the federal investigation.
Drivers were advised to use 10th Avenue North and Purdy Lane or Alameda Drive as alternate routes. John I. Leonard High School also closed Monday while emergency operations continued.
The crash disrupted a large residential area while families awaited more information. Community members should rely on Palm Beach County agencies, the FAA and the NTSB for confirmed updates.