Like a Missile Falling from the Sky: Shocking Details of the Final Moments of the Pilot in Florida Plane Crash

A private business jet carrying nine people crashed after nosediving toward the ground and landing near homes in Florida on Sunday evening, resulting in the deaths of everyone on board.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said during a press conference that there were no injuries among people on the ground. Local officials reported evacuating approximately 600 people from the vicinity of the crash site, near a mobile home park in the Crystal Haven area, according to CBS News.

Behind the scenes of the final moments

The Federal Aviation Administration stated that the aircraft, a Learjet 60, crashed in Palm Beach County shortly before 1 p.m.

The agency added that the plane had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to the Bahamas.

Details regarding the potential causes of the accident have not yet been revealed.

DeSantis said: "The scene looked like a missile falling from the sky, followed by a massive explosion and debris scattering everywhere. It is truly tragic to see people die this way while on board the plane," according to CBS News.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the death of all persons on board the aircraft in a post on the X platform.

Duffy wrote: "Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we lost."

Radio communications between the pilot and the air traffic control tower recorded the final moments before the plane's fall.

According to an audio recording published on LiveATC.net, the pilot was heard saying that the plane was descending at a rate of 10,000 feet per minute.

Later, he declared an emergency, shouting: "We are in an overspeed condition and descending at 20,000 feet per minute."

Moments of terror
The pilot was also later heard telling the control tower: "We are going to crash... we don't have time anymore."

The National Transportation Safety Board announced on Sunday that it was sending a specialized team to investigate the circumstances of the accident, noting that investigators were expected to arrive at the site later on Sunday and Monday morning.

Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, told The Associated Press that the plane was private, clarifying that he could not provide immediate details about the identities of the people on board.

He added: "This is certainly a tragedy."

Videos captured by people inside their cars documented the terrifying moment when the plane fell from the sky.

In turn, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office announced the closure of all northbound and southbound lanes on Military Trail, near the intersection of Crystal Haven Boulevard and North Tenth Street, until further notice.