NTSB examines weather and possible in-flight breakup after Learjet 60 crash kills nine in Florida

A Learjet 60 crashed near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County, Florida, at about 17:50 UTC (12:50 EST) on November 1, killing all nine people aboard and injuring one person on the ground. NTSB investigators are examining reported icing, moderate turbulence and precipitation, the rapid descent and preliminary evidence that parts may have separated before impact.

Palm Beach County activated its Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 and declared a State of Local Emergency on November 1 in response to the crash and concurrent flooding. County officials said the crash caused fires, debris, and damage to property and infrastructure, prompting evacuations, medical response, debris removal, and restoration work.

About 50 displaced residents stayed overnight at the Greenacres Community Center after two initial shelter sites were consolidated into one. Portions of Military Trail remained closed, while John I. Leonard High School was closed on November 2 because emergency crews were working near the off-campus crash site.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said weather conditions are a major focus of the investigation. Investigators also reported preliminary evidence that parts of the aircraft may have separated before impact, but no probable cause has been determined.

The Learjet 60, registration N722BD, was operated by Aurora Aviation doing business as Upper Jet. It was flying from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when radar and radio contact were lost.

The NTSB lists Lake Worth Beach as the accident location, while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) described the site as a residential area near Cresthaven. Investigation ERA27MA026 remains ongoing, and the information released so far is preliminary.

Relatives identified the seven passengers as Adam Robinson, Helen Sharp, their children Emma and Charlie, Rachael Reed, Charmi Fehr, and Anita Maria Cetina. Family members separately identified 20-year-old Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras as the co-pilot.

Captain Jeff Gregory was identified by his former employer, East Coast Jets. These were public identifications through families, a former employer and news organizations; local authorities had not announced completion of a formal identification process covering all nine occupants as of November 3.

At approximately 17:47 UTC (12:47 EST), the crew told air traffic controllers that the aircraft was encountering light clear icing that they considered manageable, together with moderate turbulence.

The Learjet was flying at approximately 10 668 m (35 000 feet), and the crew reported altitude deviations of about 213 m (700 feet). The crew subsequently reported precipitation and requested clearance to climb to approximately 11 278 m (37 000 feet).

Air traffic control approved the request. Less than 30 seconds later, a transmission from the aircraft announced that it was descending, followed by a Mayday call.

The crew reported an overspeed condition as the descent rate increased from approximately 3 048 m/min (10 000 feet/min) to at least 6 096 m/min (20 000 feet/min). Reuters reported a subsequent rate of approximately 6 706 m/min (22 000 feet/min).

Investigators have not determined what initiated the descent. They also have not confirmed whether the aircraft entered an active thunderstorm or how the reported icing, turbulence, and precipitation affected the flight.

The NTSB reported preliminary evidence that parts of the aircraft may have separated before impact. Investigators cautioned that examination of the wreckage was still at an early stage and that debris could be found away from the main impact site.

Investigators were also determining whether a cockpit voice recorder remained aboard the Learjet at the time of the accident. Maintenance records showed that one had been installed, but the NTSB had not confirmed that it was still present.

Recovery of the main wreckage was complicated by water accumulating in the impact crater after heavy rainfall. A broken water main also caused an outage in the surrounding area, while continuing rain slowed access to debris.

An NWS Miami Area Forecast Discussion transmitted at 17:54 UTC (12:54 EST), with its aviation section issued at 17:51 UTC (12:51 EST), documented scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms across South Florida.

Periods of MVFR or IFR conditions were possible at regional terminals, with easterly winds of 19–28 km/h (10–15 knots) and gusts of 37–46 km/h (20–25 knots). These terminal forecasts provided regional context but did not establish conditions at the Learjet’s cruising altitude.

An earlier NWS Miami forecast discussion issued at 07:26 UTC (02:26 EST) described a shortwave moving into the eastern Gulf and supporting the development of deep convection. A Flood Watch was also in effect for parts of South Florida because of the potential for heavy rainfall and isolated flash flooding.

The regional storm environment and the crew’s reports of icing, turbulence, and precipitation are among the conditions investigators are examining. The NTSB has not determined that weather caused or contributed to the accident and has not issued a probable-cause finding.

References:

¹ Crash of Learjet 60, investigation ERA27MA026 — NTSB — event November 1, 2026; investigation ongoing.

² FAA Statements on Aviation Accidents and Incidents — FAA — November 1, 2026

³ Palm Beach County activates Emergency Operations Center in response to flooding and plane crash — Palm Beach County — November 2, 2026.

Featured image: Flames and smoke rising after Learjet 60 crash in Florida on November 1, 2026. Credit: @Trecopo1/X