Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said nine people died aboard a Learjet 60 that crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, on November 1. Whether anyone on the ground was injured remained unclear.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft went down near Cresthaven at about 12:50 p.m. It had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and was travelling to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.
Austin airport spokesperson Jim Reynolds identified the aircraft as a private flight with the registration N722BD, according to the Associated Press. Officials had not released the identities of those aboard or established what caused the crash.
The jet struck near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North. AP described what it saw in crash footage: the jet came down near a roadway and caught fire. Its report described burning debris around a crater close to houses and passing vehicles. Damage to nearby homes had not been established.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office closed Military Trail to traffic in both directions and asked drivers to avoid the area while emergency crews responded.
Duffy said the FAA was sending personnel to assist the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation. The cause remained under investigation.