Nine people have died after a Learjet 60 crashed on Sunday in a residential area near Cresthaven, Florida, the US Federal Aviation Administration said. Everyone on board died when the aircraft crashed at about 12:50pm Eastern Time, according to a social media post from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who called the incident a horrific tragedy.
The plane took off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, the FAA said in a statement. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, and no cause has yet been confirmed.
The crash is one of the deadliest recent private-jet accidents in the United States and drew immediate attention because it occurred in a residential neighbourhood. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those on board, and investigators will examine flight records, weather conditions and wreckage as part of the inquiry. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.
Sources: Reuters, US Federal Aviation Administration. Written in our own words for information only.