9 dead after jet from Austin crashes in Florida; aviation expert shares his thoughts

A Learjet 60 that departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, killing all nine people on board, according to federal investigators.

The aircraft was en route from Austin to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when it went down around 12:50 p.m. in a neighborhood near several businesses, triggering a large emergency response.

Local authorities reported a fiery explosion and debris across the area, with a large crater visible and roads in the vicinity closed as responders worked the scene.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are leading the probe, with an NTSB go-team arriving on site to gather information over the next day or two.

Aviation officials and experts have discussed weather as a potential factor, noting the pilot’s apparent concern about weather conditions and the possibility of a weather-induced event affecting the aircraft.