Nose Dived at 20,000 Feet Per Minute: Private Jet Kills 9 in Florida

The aircraft was falling at more than 20,000 feet per minute just before it struck the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that a private Learjet 60 crashed around 12:50 p.m. on Sunday, November 1. All nine people aboard the plane died in the accident.

The flight originated at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. Its destination was North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. The jet entered a residential area in Palm Springs, Florida. First responders from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department and the county fire department arrived at the scene immediately after the impact.

Officials described a large crater on the side of the road where the plane hit. Debris scattered across the surrounding neighborhood. Video footage captured the jet nose-diving before it burst into flames. Thick black smoke rose into the air. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis compared the descent to a missile going down.

The co-pilot, Nathalia Gadelha, was identified by her mother. She was 20 years old and had earned her pilot license at age 17. She attended Boca Raton High School and began flight lessons in 2020 under the guidance of her father. Her training was supported by her school district’s aviation academy. She later graduated from American Flyers Flight School while working toward a commercial airline pilot career.

In a 2023 interview, Gadelha stated she had logged 88 hours in the air. She noted that she and her boyfriend had obtained multiple aviation qualifications before they turned 21. Federal officials have not released the names of the other eight victims.

Investigators are examining reports of severe turbulence prior to the crash. The pilot reported calm conditions regarding ice accumulation on the aircraft before the descent. The outside temperature was recorded at minus 47 degrees Celsius. No injuries were reported among people on the ground.

The investigation remains active. The FAA is leading the effort to determine the cause of the crash. The plane was scheduled to continue its route to the Bahamas before the incident occurred.