Learjet 60 crashes in Florida neighborhood just 9 miles from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, killing all nine aboard

# South Florida Private Jet Crash Kills Nine; Authorities Investigate Cause

A private jet crashed into a residential area in South Florida on Sunday, killing all nine people aboard and prompting a large emergency response. The crash occurred near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County, approximately nine miles from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Investigators are working to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the Learjet 60 had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was bound for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. The aircraft crashed at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the incident as a “horrific tragedy.”

## Co-pilot identified as investigators examine final moments

The co-pilot was identified as 20-year-old Nathalia Filgueiras, who graduated from high school in Boca Raton, Florida, in 2024. Her mother, Camila Corteleti, recalled her daughter’s passion for flying and seeing the world from above.

“She loved the freedom. It was completely different seeing the world from the top,” Corteleti said.

Air traffic control recordings indicate that the pilots reported icing, moderate turbulence and precipitation before the aircraft entered a steep descent. The pilot initially reported a descent rate of 10,000 feet per minute before later telling controllers that the jet was experiencing an overspeed condition and descending at 20,000 feet per minute.

Flight-tracking data cited in aviation reports indicated that the descent rate subsequently exceeded 30,000 feet per minute. A crew member declared an emergency, issuing a mayday and warning that the aircraft was descending rapidly and was going to crash into the ground.

The cause of the crash has not been established. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s condition, flight data, weather conditions and communications with air traffic control.

## Weather conditions under investigation

Weather reports from South Florida indicated heavy rain, thunderstorms, icing and turbulence in the region. An aviation expert said these conditions could be among the factors investigators examine, although no official finding has established weather as the cause.

The FAA is assisting the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the investigation. Authorities will need to determine how the reported conditions affected the aircraft and whether mechanical, operational or other factors contributed to the crash.

Dashcam footage from a nearby vehicle reportedly captured the aircraft’s final moments as it descended at a near-vertical angle before exploding and catching fire. The footage may provide additional context, but investigators will rely on multiple sources of evidence to establish what happened.

## Residents evacuated as emergency response continues

Initial reports had not officially identified all nine people aboard the jet. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said authorities had received no reports of deaths or injuries among people on the ground at that stage.

“As of now, we don’t have any reports of anyone who was on the ground … who was killed or injured,” DeSantis said.

Palm Beach County authorities evacuated approximately 600 residents from a nearby mobile-home community as emergency crews responded to the crash. Military Trail was also closed, with officials saying the road would remain shut until further notice.

The crash has raised questions about the aircraft’s rapid descent and the conditions it encountered before impact. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and further information about the victims and the circumstances of the accident is expected as officials release verified details.