A privately owned Learjet 60 bound for the Bahamas crashed in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday 1 November 2026, killing all nine people on board. The jet went down at about 12:50 p.m. Eastern Time (17:50 UTC) beside Military Trail, a main road in Palm Beach County.
The aircraft had left Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas for North Eleuthera Airport on Eleuthera. Eleuthera is a long, thin island in The Bahamas, popular with US tourists and second-home owners, and a short flight from Florida.
The crash matters to US readers because it happened in a residential part of Florida and involved a private flight to a favourite Bahamian destination. It also puts US aviation safety back in focus while federal investigators work to establish what went wrong.
Key Facts
- What. A private Learjet 60 crashed in Greenacres, Florida, on 1 November 2026, killing all nine people aboard.
- Route. The jet left Austin, Texas, for North Eleuthera in The Bahamas, a short flight from Florida.
- Next. The US aviation regulator (FAA) and air-accident agency (NTSB) are investigating. No cause has been determined.
- As of. 2 November 2026, 6:00 p.m. GMT
What We Know
US officials confirmed that nine people were aboard the business jet, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now investigating. The aircraft was 22 years old and had been built in 2004.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the crash a “horrific tragedy”. No casualties were reported on the ground.
The FAA said the jet dropped from about 35,250 feet to about 8,750 feet in about one minute before impact. That is a fall of more than 26,000 feet in roughly 60 seconds.
According to reports of the air traffic control exchange, the pilots had reported turbulence, icing and precipitation at high altitude. They had asked to climb higher before the descent began.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said: “It looked like a missile going down. It left a big crater on the side of the road.”
He spoke at a news briefing near the impact site. The plane hit near a mobile home community, and about 600 residents were moved out while shelters opened.
Military Trail was closed after the crash. Emergency crews from Palm Beach County responded to the scene.
Storms were reported in the area. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the US agency that investigates air accidents, are investigating.
No cause has been determined. Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper responded to the news.
He said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash in Palm Beach County, Florida, today.”
What Is Not Known
Investigators have not said why the jet descended so quickly. The NTSB has not announced a cause, and none should be assumed.
The identities and nationalities of the nine people aboard have not been officially released. There is no information on whether any Bahamians were on the flight.
Officials have not said whether the aircraft, its crew or the weather played any part in the descent. Any such conclusion must wait for the evidence gathered by investigators.
The condition and status of the flight recorders have not been reported. Officials have also not said when Military Trail will reopen.
What It Means for Travelers and US Readers
Eleuthera is a regular destination for private flights from the United States. The island lies a short flight from Florida, which is why this route is familiar to many owners and charter customers.
The investigation is ongoing, and no cause has been announced. Readers should treat any early explanation as unconfirmed until the NTSB reports its findings.
Drivers in Greenacres should expect disruption on Military Trail, which was closed after the crash. Local residents should follow guidance from Palm Beach County authorities on road closures and shelters.
Anyone with relatives who may have been aboard should rely on official channels for confirmation. We are not naming anyone until authorities do so.
The loss of nine lives will be felt in Florida, in The Bahamas and among travellers who use this route. The Rio Times will report further facts when officials confirm them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Greenacres, Florida?
A privately owned Learjet 60 crashed on Sunday 1 November 2026 at about 12:50 p.m. Eastern Time near Military Trail. The jet had left Austin, Texas, for North Eleuthera in The Bahamas. All nine people aboard died.
Has the cause of the crash been found?
No. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating, and no cause has been determined. Investigators have not said whether the weather played a role.
Were people on the ground hurt?
No ground casualties were reported. About 600 residents of a nearby mobile home community were moved out, and shelters were opened.
Who was on the plane?
The victims have not been officially named. Officials have also not said whether any Bahamians were aboard, so no identities or nationalities are given here.
Sources: Federal Aviation Administration (https://www.faa.gov), National Transportation Safety Board (https://www.ntsb.gov), Government of The Bahamas.
Read more: Bahamas coverage and Latin America coverage.
This article was drafted with automated assistance and reviewed before publication. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief