Cresthaven Learjet crash kills 9, closes Military Trail

Updated Nov. 3: The National Transportation Safety Board lists the crash as investigation ERA27MA026. It says the jet was operated by Aurora Aviation, doing business as Upper Jet, and was lost from radar and radio contact on its way to North Eleuthera. The NTSB has not published findings. Palm Beach County’s closure notice still says Military Trail is closed between 10th Avenue North and Purdy Lane until further notice.

All nine people aboard a Learjet 60 were killed Sunday when the business jet crashed in a neighborhood near Cresthaven, in unincorporated Palm Beach County.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the deaths. The crash site is on Military Trail, about 7 miles south of West Palm Beach. That stretch of Military Trail is closed until further notice, and the county has set out a detour.

What federal officials said

Duffy set out what was known in a post on X Sunday afternoon. He called the crash “a horrific tragedy” and listed:

• At 12:50 p.m. ET, a Learjet 60 crashed in a neighborhood near Cresthaven.
• All nine people on board were killed.
• The aircraft departed from Austin, Texas, and was headed to the Bahamas.
• The FAA is sending a team to the scene to support the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation.

“Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we lost,” Duffy wrote.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the jet had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was bound for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. The FAA said the FAA and the NTSB will investigate, with the NTSB in charge of the investigation. The agency said its information is preliminary and subject to change. WPTV, WFLX and NBC 6 South Florida carried that statement.

No agency has said what caused the crash. No agency has named the people on board.

Fire Rescue response

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said at 2:32 p.m. that Military Trail between Cresthaven and 10th Avenue North was closed to all traffic. “Avoid the area. This will be an extended incident,” the department said.

The photo Fire Rescue released from the scene shows downed power lines and debris across the grass beside the road.

None of the agency statements published so far reported anyone on the ground being killed or hurt.

Military Trail closure and detour

Palm Beach County’s Engineering and Public Works Department issued an emergency road closure notice Sunday. It said:

• Military Trail is closed between 10th Avenue North and Purdy Lane/Alemeda Drive until further notice.
• Only emergency vehicles are allowed into the closed stretch.
• Law enforcement is on site redirecting traffic and helping residents.

The county’s detour:

The county did not give a reopening date. It said it recognizes Military Trail is a major thoroughfare.

What it means for you

• If you drive Military Trail between 10th Avenue North and Purdy Lane, plan on Haverhill Road or Kirk Road instead until the county reopens the road. We list the closure on our road construction and closures page.
• If you live inside the closed stretch, law enforcement at the scene is helping residents get in and out. The county’s Emergency Operations Center is at 561-662-7534.
• What comes next: The FAA says it usually posts a preliminary report on general aviation accidents by the next business day. When the NTSB investigates, the NTSB gives all further updates.

We will update this page when the NTSB, the sheriff’s office or the county releases more, including when Military Trail reopens. For other emergencies in the area, see our police and fire log.