Gov. Ron DeSantis On Learjet Crash Just Miles From Mar-a-Lago: “It Looked Like A Missile”

WATCH: New video shows Learjet 60 business jet crashing near West Palm Beach, Florida.

The plane was completely disintegrated upon impact. Number of casualties unknown. pic.twitter.com/l5JT9KEWnQ

— BNO News (@BNONews) November 1, 2026

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Standing in the pouring rain just blocks from where a Learjet plummeted into a Palm Beach County roadway, Gov. Ron DeSantis described the deadly crash as “like a missile coming down,” as officials warned Sunday evening that hundreds of residents could be displaced and a major roadway could remain closed for weeks.

DeSantis joined Palm Beach County officials for a rain-soaked news conference outside a beauty supply store at the corner of Kelly Drive and South Military Trail, near the site of the fiery crash that killed all nine people aboard the aircraft.

“When you see that video, you know, it’s a jarring thing. It was like, it was like a missile coming down and a massive explosion, debris going everywhere,” DeSantis said.

The governor said debris was scattered across a significant distance, although authorities had not received reports of anyone on the ground being killed or injured.

The news conference came hours after a Learjet 60 crashed around 12:50 p.m. near South Military Trail and Marilyn Drive, triggering an explosion that sent flames and thick black smoke into the sky. Witnesses reported hearing a thunderous boom for miles.

Beyond the loss of life, county leaders warned the crash could have lasting consequences for nearby residents, businesses and motorists.

Read more: Jet carrying nine plummets into Greenacres roadway, erupts in flames

Former Greenacres Mayor and current Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores, whose district includes the crash site, said approximately 600 residents of a nearby mobile home community were being relocated because the entrance to their neighborhood was next to the wreckage.

“Unfortunately, that’s a crime scene. They’re investigating that, so the people can’t stay there,” Flores said.

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RON DESANTIS SAW THE PALM BEACH CRASH SITE UP CLOSE:

“This was a cataclysmic plane crash. It looked like a missile going down.”

He said the impact carved a huge crater into the side of Military Trail and sent debris flying across a significant distance.

Nine people aboard… https://t.co/ymV46Njgc3

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 2, 2026

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Thousands of people watched the video of the Florida jet crash and asked the same thing: where’s the plane?

Here’s why you can’t see it:

• It fell almost straight down. Unofficial flight tracking shows the Learjet dropped from over 35,000 feet nearly vertical, possibly at… https://t.co/n6acc0luOz pic.twitter.com/VYJtERnMTs

— Tony Lane

(@TonyLaneNV) November 1, 2026

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A business jet carrying nine people nose-dived into a South Florida neighborhood Sunday and erupted into a giant fireball that appeared to just miss homes near a busy roadway. Everyone on board was killed, the nation’s transportation secretary said.

Video recorded by people inside their cars captured the terrifying moment the Bahamas-bound aircraft plunged from the sky before striking near the Palm Beach County roadway and exploding. Flames flickered around chunks of pavement lining a crater as people milled about, expressing shock that it landed only feet from homes and inches from passing vehicles. Thick black smoke engulfed the crash site.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy posted on X that the Learjet 60 crashed in Palm Beach County at 12:50 p.m. and called it a “horrific tragedy.” The Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team to support the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation, he said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of anyone on the ground injured or killed.

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