Greenacres, FL – At least nine people were killed when a Learjet 60 crashed near a residential community in Palm Beach County, according to federal officials. The aircraft was traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the jet crashed at approximately 12:50 p.m. near Cresthaven in the Greenacres area. The impact caused an explosion and left a large crater along Military Trail and scattered debris near homes, prompting an extensive emergency response and road closures.
At the time of Sunday’s news conference, officials said they had received no reports of anyone on the ground being killed or injured. Palm Beach County authorities announced plans to relocate approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community while emergency operations and the investigation continue.
“The victims on the ground have rights just like passengers on the plane have rights,” said Pablo Rojas, partner at Podhurst Orseck.
Unconfirmed ATC Audio Suggests Crew Reported Icing and Turbulence
According to air traffic control recordings captured by LiveATC.net, minutes before the crash, the pilot reported ice accumulating on the aircraft and turbulence causing altitude fluctuations of as much as 700 feet.
“Based on the ATC audio, the pilot clearly knew they were in an uncontrolled descent and knew something was going very wrong,” said Podhurst Orseck attorney Zachary Gorwitz.
Flightradar24 reported that the crew requested a climb to 37,000 feet after encountering icing, turbulence and precipitation. Shortly after receiving clearance to climb, the crew reported a rapid descent and an overspeed condition. Tracking data showed the aircraft briefly climbing before entering a steep descent.
“Perhaps there was an issue with icing and the horizontal stabilizer. Planes have a stabilizer at the tail which keeps the plane in balance otherwise the nose wants to push down. If you end up with some icing build up, it stops doing its job and the plane can enter a deep nosedive like we saw here,” said Gorwitz.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with support from the FAA. The NTSB announced that it was deploying a team to the crash site, with investigators arriving Sunday and Monday.
“Aircraft like Learjet60 have systems to de-ice the aircraft because this is something that can happen in humid weather. Investigators will likely also look into the autopilot system,” said Rojas.
Why Aviation Experience Matters
Podhurst Orseck has been involved in litigation in almost every major air disaster since 1972. Plane crash cases are technical and expensive. The evidence must be understood in the context of federal aviation rules. The companies involved are represented by experienced aviation defense lawyers and well-funded insurers.
Podhurst Orseck, based in Miami, Florida, has eight attorneys who work in the aviation space, including a board-certified expert in aviation law by the Florida Bar. We have spent more than 50 years representing victims in major air disasters in the U.S. and around the world, including prior cases involving private aircraft.
Cases Similar to the Palm Beach County Learjet Crash
Podhurst Orseck has represented victims’ families in similar aviation disasters below:
- Med Jets Flight 056 (2025)
- Mar Mak Colony Mobile Home Park Plane Crash (2015)
Recent Podhurst Orseck Aviation Case Results
- $29 Million Verdict for Family in Boeing 737 MAX crash
- Over $100 Million recovered in private plane crash in Dominican Republic
- Judgments exceeding $800 million for victims of Chapecoense soccer team tragedy
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