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Terrifying new footage shows private jet's final moments before crashing into Florida neighborhood and killing all nine aboard
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Previously unseen footage of the horrific crash that followed a private jet's rapid nose-dive back to Earth has been shared online.
The private jet was headed for the Bahamas after departing from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, when it crashed in a South Florida neighborhood near Cresthaven.
Speaking shortly after the crash, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on X that the Learjet 60 crashed at around 12:50PM, describing it as a 'horrific tragedy', as all nine on board were killed.
He also stated that the Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team to support the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation into the crash.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis also provided an update on the incident and revealed that there were no immediate reports of any bystanders on the ground being injured or killed.
"It was a cataclysmic plane crash; it looked like a missile going down and left a big crater on the side of the road,” he told the media.
Footage of crash shows private jet's final moments
Air traffic control recordings have been shared online alongside footage of the plane crash, which was captured on several dashcams.
The Learjet 60 could be seen plunging towards the ground at reported speeds of over 30,000 feet per minute, with its rapid descent said to last just 76 seconds.
DeSantis said that debris from the crash covered a large area in the neighborhood, and that federal aviation officials were expected in Palm Beach County on Sunday night to begin their investigation.
In new footage, the jet can be seen heading for the Earth like a missile, before bursting into a gigantic fireball.
Cars around the crash had next to no time to anticipate the crash, with many vehicles seen diverting from the point of impact after witnessing the explosion.
The person behind the wheel of this particular vehicle was lucky to have the option to perform a U-turn, while other cars could be seen stopping on the road ahead.
Pilot declared an emergency before crash
The aircraft was flying east at approximately 35,000 feet when the pilots reported two problems: icing and turbulence, which caused altitude fluctuations of up to 700 feet.
According to air traffic control (ATC) recordings captured by LiveATC.net, the pilot first signaled that the conditions were manageable.
"We have light, clear ice that is manageable and moderate turbulence," the pilot told ATC.
However, the situation quickly worsened as the plane encountered precipitation, as the crew requested permission to climb another 2,000 feet to seek smoother flying conditions.
Moments later, the aircraft entered a steep descent, leading to the pilot declaring an emergency.
"We’re descending 8,000 – mayday, mayday - we’re descending 10,000 feet per minute," the pilot radioed.
"We are in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute," they said, before delivering a chilling final warning of what was about to happen: "We’re going to crash into the ground."
Emergency teams were soon called to the scene as authorities evacuated around 600 people from a nearby mobile home community.