Private jet crashes in Florida, all nine on board killed

A private jet crashed in a residential area in Florida on Sunday afternoon, killing all nine people on board and scattering burning debris across a wide area.

Videos recorded by people nearby showed the aircraft descending rapidly before impact. The crash left a large crater in the pavement, in what Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called a "horrific tragedy".

Officials had not confirmed whether anyone on the ground was injured or whether nearby mobile homes sustained damage. The identities of the victims also had not been released.

"Obviously this was a cataclysmic plane crash. It looked like a missile going down," said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

According to a recording captured by air traffic website LiveATC.net, the pilot reported ice accumulation just minutes before the crash, and turbulence was causing the plane to bounce by up to 700 feet.

Shortly after, it began to descend out of control.

"We're going to crash into the ground," the pilot can be heard saying.

About 600 people living nearby have been displaced from their residences due to safety precautions and will be given temporary shelter.

The Learjet 60 had left Austin, Texas and was headed to the Bahamas, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board were actively investigating the scene.