A private jet flying nine people from Austin to the Bahamas slammed into a Florida neighborhood near Mar-a-Lago, and no one on board survived
“We’re going to crash into the ground!”
A private jet carrying nine people slammed into a Florida neighborhood on Sunday, November 1, 2026, leaving no survivors. According to Fox News, the Learjet 60 departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed toward North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. Tragedy struck around 12:50 p.m. local time when the aircraft plummeted from the sky. It crashed in a residential area near Cresthaven, Florida, which is about nine miles from the Mar-a-Lago estate.
The impact was intense. The plane nosedived into a roadway and burst into a massive fireball. Dashcam footage captured the terrifying descent, showing the jet falling rapidly before striking the ground. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the scene as cataclysmic. He noted that the crash left a large crater on the side of the road. DeSantis also said the plane looked like a missile going down.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene immediately. They shut down Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue posted on X that this was an aircraft incident and warned the public to avoid the area. They noted this would be an extended incident for investigators.
The investigation into why the plane went down is just beginning
According to CNN, 20-year-old Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras was the co-pilot on the flight. Her family identified her following the crash. Her mother, Camila Gadelha Corteleti, told reporters that Filgueiras was a responsible and hardworking person. Filgueiras reportedly earned her pilot’s license at age 17, even before she could legally drive a car. She was a graduate of American Flyers and had logged more than 1,300 flight hours.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the effort to determine the cause. NTSB Senior Air Safety Investigator Tim Monville mentioned that recovering major wreckage from the impact crater presents a significant challenge. NTSB member Tom Chapman added that they have evidence suggesting the aircraft may have broken up before it actually hit the ground.
Audio from air traffic control provides a harrowing look at the final moments. The pilot reported ice accumulating on the aircraft while flying at an altitude of 35,000 feet. The outside air temperature was negative 47 degrees Celsius. The pilot also noted moderate turbulence that bounced the plane by as much as 700 feet. Things turned critical very quickly. The pilot shouted, ‘Mayday, mayday,’ in a panicked voice.
The pilot told the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center that they were descending 10,000 feet per minute. They later yelled, “We are in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute.” The final words heard were, “We’re going to crash into the ground!” Flight tracking data indicates the jet plummeted 27,000 feet in just one minute.
Weather conditions are a major focal point for the NTSB
Icing is a serious hazard in aviation because it adds weight and reduces lift. It can also decrease thrust and increase drag. While planes have anti-ice systems, these systems sometimes cannot keep up with severe conditions. The NTSB previously issued a safety alert in January 2024 regarding the dangers of in-flight icing.
The crash had a direct impact on the surrounding community. About 600 people needed to be relocated because the wreckage blocked the entrance to a nearby mobile home park. District 3 Commissioner Joel Flores said officials worked to provide shelter for those affected. Residents were moved to two county shelters while the site remains a restricted crime scene.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the event a horrific tragedy. He confirmed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is sending a team to support the investigation. He asked people to join him in praying for the families and loved ones of those lost. The FAA and the Department of Transportation are monitoring the situation closely.
This event is the second deadliest plane crash in the United States this year. It also ranks as the deadliest crash involving a Learjet 60. Investigators face a long road ahead. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, but a final report could take up to two years to complete. For now, the community and the families involved are left to process this sudden loss.
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