Nine people have been confirmed dead after a private jet slammed into the ground at more than 30,000 feet per minute.
Footage captured the moment the Learjet 60 crashed into a residential area near Greenacres in Florida’s Palm Beach County.
A clip showed the aircraft nose-diving from the sky during stormy weather before erupting into a giant ball of flames.
The crash reportedly left a huge crater in the pavement and ignited a utility pole, with the site of impact just metres from homes.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed all nine on board had been killed calling it ‘a horrific tragedy’.
Chilling audio yet to be verified appears to capture the pilot calling in a Mayday amid screams from the cockpit.
‘We’re descending at 20,000ft per minute and banking 60 degrees. Look outside. Holy f***, we’re out of time,’ the unidentified pilot appears to say.
It is as of yet unclear if the rapid nosedive harmed anyone on the ground, with no report yet on whether any of the nine passengers onboard survived.
A section oftheroad named Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North has been closed off until further notice.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement: ‘An incident involving an aircraft is currently under investigation in the area of Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North.
‘All northbound and southbound lanes of Military Trail are closed until further notice. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
‘Additional information will be released as it becomes available.’
An investigation into the crash has been opened by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA.
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