A private jet carrying nine people crashed into a residential neighborhood near Cresthaven, Florida, around 12:50 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, erupting into a large fireball and prompting road closures, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed, Fox News reported.
The FAA said the aircraft departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. “Nine people were on board,” the FAA said. The agency said the National Transportation Safety Board will be in charge of the investigation.
Palm Beach County authorities closed Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North and warned the public to avoid the area. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue posted on X that the incident would be extended and urged people to avoid the scene.
Video shared on social media showed the aircraft dropping rapidly before an explosion sent smoke and flames into the air, Fox News reported.
According to flight-tracking site Flightradar24, the Learjet left Austin at 15:37 and climbed to a cruising altitude of 41,000 feet. Flightradar24 said the aircraft began a descent near Naples, Florida, at 17:35 down to 35,000 feet, briefly climbed at 17:48 and then entered a steep, right-hand descent.
Authorities and federal investigators were responding to the scene. The FAA said the NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide updates.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
