There was no jet, just a crater: The devastating impact of the Florida crash

The fireball lasted moments. The destruction it left behind was far more visible.

A massive crater, melted and twisted aircraft metal, and debris scattered near homes marked the site where a Learjet 60 crashed in Florida.

Images from the scene showed how the business jet was torn apart in the impact, with the intense heat leaving parts of its metal structure severely melted.

All nine people on board were killed.

The aircraft crashed near Cresthaven in Palm Beach County at around 12:50 pm EST (11:20 pm IST) on Sunday, November 1.

It was travelling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it went down near Military Trail, around 14 km from Mar-a-Lago, US President Donald Trump's resort.

The impact also left a large crater on the road, narrowly missing nearby homes and passing vehicles.

Footage recorded by people inside passing cars captured the aircraft descending steeply before hitting the ground and erupting into a massive fireball.

The explosion sent flames and smoke into the air, leaving emergency personnel to deal with burning wreckage and debris scattered across the crash site.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that all nine people aboard the aircraft had died.

He said the jet had departed from Austin, Texas, and was headed to the Bahamas.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that nine people were on board and said it would support the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the incident as a "cataclysmic" crash, saying the aircraft appeared to be coming down like a missile.

"When you see that video, it's a jarring thing. It's like a missile coming down, and a massive explosion, debris going everywhere," DeSantis told reporters.

600 RESIDENTS EVACUATED AFTER LEARJET CRASH

The crash also caused damage to local infrastructure and nearby residential properties. Authorities said the impact damaged water lines in the area, while at least one mobile home suffered significant destruction.

Around 600 residents of a nearby mobile home community were evacuated as emergency personnel continued operations at the site. Joel Flores, commissioner for Palm Beach County's 3rd District, said authorities were working to ensure that those affected had access to shelter.

"We have about 600 people that we have to make sure that they have shelter tonight," Flores said.

The damage to the road and surrounding infrastructure is expected to disrupt local movement for an extended period. Officials said Military Trail would remain closed and could take at least 30 days to reopen.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office closed both northbound and southbound lanes of Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North following the crash.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue declared a mass-casualty incident, prompting a large emergency response. The sheriff's office also urged motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

CHILLING FINAL MOMENTS CAPTURED IN ATC AUDIO

Air traffic control (ATC) recording that emerged after the crash have provided details of the crew's final communications with controllers. The audio captured the pilot reporting moderate turbulence and icing conditions before the situation deteriorated rapidly.

The crew initially told the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center that they were experiencing moderate turbulence and "light, clear ice that is manageable". The pilot also discussed the possibility of finding smoother air.

However, the aircraft soon began losing altitude at an alarming rate. In one transmission, the pilot reported that the jet was descending at 10,000 feet per minute and issued a Mayday call.

"Mayday, Mayday, we're descending 10,000 feet per minute," the pilot told air traffic controllers.

The crew later reported that the aircraft was in overspeed condition and descending at 20,000 feet per minute. The controller attempted to maintain contact and reassured the crew that they could choose any altitude.

WHAT CAUSED THE LEARJET TO CRASH?

The circumstances that led to the aircraft's rapid descent remain unclear. The FAA and the NTSB have launched an investigation, with the NTSB expected to lead the probe.

The reported icing conditions, turbulence and overspeed warning are among the details that investigators will examine.

They will also assess the aircraft's flight data, maintenance history, weather conditions and communications with air traffic control to establish what happened.

Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall were reported in parts of southern Florida around the time of the crash.

However, authorities have not established whether weather conditions, a technical malfunction or another factor contributed to the accident.

The ATC recording provides an account of the crew's increasingly desperate attempts to communicate with controllers, but it does not establish what caused the aircraft to lose control.

Investigators will now examine the wreckage and available flight records to determine what led the Learjet 60 to plunge into the residential area.