Kreindler Investigating Fatal Learjet Crash in Palm Beach County, Florida
What Happened
Kreindler & Kreindler LLP is closely monitoring the investigation into the November 1, 2026, Learjet 60 airplane crash in Palm Beach County, Florida, which claimed the lives of all nine people aboard. We are also conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the aircraft’s flight history, its final communications with air traffic control, and the conditions it encountered before the crash.
The Learjet 60, registered as N722BD, departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was bound for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. At approximately 12:50 p.m. Eastern time, the aircraft crashed near Military Trail in Lake Worth Beach, Florida. Authorities confirmed that all nine occupants were killed and reported no injuries on the ground.
Publicly available flight-tracking information and air traffic control recordings provide a preliminary account of the flight’s final minutes. According to Flightradar24’s review of those recordings, the crew reported icing conditions and moderate turbulence while flying at approximately 35,000 feet. The crew subsequently reported precipitation and requested clearance to climb to 37,000 feet.
Shortly after receiving clearance to climb, the crew reported an overspeed condition and a rapidly increasing rate of descent. Flightradar24’s tracking data shows that the aircraft briefly climbed before entering a steep, descending right turn. The recorded descent rate exceeded 32,000 feet per minute before tracking ended. Publicly available information describes aspects of the aircraft’s final movements, but does not establish exactly what caused the emergency or the subsequent descent.
Investigation into the Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched an investigative team and will lead the federal investigation with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The investigation remains in its earliest stages, and no determination of probable cause has been announced.
At this time, we know that thunderstorms were developing in the area around the time of the accident. Available weather information, together with the crew’s reports of icing, turbulence, and precipitation, raises questions about the conditions the aircraft encountered. But while it appears that the weather system may have contributed to the crash, it is too early to determine how the weather may have interacted with other ongoing circumstances. A complete understanding of this accident will require an examination of the physical evidence and other available records to reconstruct the sequence of events. The crew’s reports describe the emergency they were experiencing; they do not, standing alone, explain why it developed.
Kreindler’s Independent Investigation
Kreindler’s independent investigation will examine the available evidence concerning the flight, the aircraft, and the events preceding the crash. Our experts will review aircraft maintenance and inspection records, operational records, weather information, air traffic control communications, and available flight data. In the coming weeks, we will dedicate our efforts to developing an understanding of what happened to N722BD and identify any factors that may have contributed to the loss of the aircraft.
Kreindler & Kreindler LLP extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the nine people who lost their lives. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.
Kreindler Experience with Learjet Crashes
Kreindler attorneys have represented numerous victims and families of Learjet airplane crash cases, including:
Learjet 55 Medavac Air Ambulance Flight Crash, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Learjet 31A Airplane Crash, near Apaseo el Alto, Mexico
Learjet 25 Corporate Airplane Crash, Monterrey, Mexico
Learjet 35A Airplane Crash, near Aspen, Colorado
Learjet 35A Airplane Crash, near Dorchester, New Hampshire
Kreindler Experience with Icing and Thunderstorm Cases
Although it's too early in the investigation to speculate about cause, Kreindler has handled many cases involving either flying into significant thunderstorms or icing conditions, including:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Turboprop Airplane Crash, Near Malad City, Idaho
Continental Connection/Colgan Flight 3407 Airplane Crash, Buffalo, New York
American Eagle Flight 4184 Airplane Crash, Roselawn, Indiana
Comair Flight 3272 Airplane Crash, Detroit, Michigan
Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 Marquise Turboprop Airplane Crash, near Aurora, Illinois
About Kreindler
Kreindler & Kreindler was recently recognized as 2026 Aviation Law Firm of the Year by the National Law Journal and Law.com. The firm's attorneys have been appointed leading counsel in nearly every major commercial airline disaster case in the U.S. and abroad. Kreindler’s aviation practice is led by attorneys who are also commercial-rated, veteran military pilots. The firm maintains an unmatched record of success representing people globally who have been injured or lost family members in international and domestic airline disasters. Kreindler has offices in Boston, New York and Los Angeles.