Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed everyone aboard the Learjet 60 died.

"Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we lost," Duffy wrote on social media, according to NBC6.

The aircraft departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and crashed near Cresthaven around 12:50 p.m., federal officials said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis described the crash as "cataclysmic," saying the aircraft appeared "like a missile going down," according to WPTV. Officials reported no immediate ground injuries or deaths.

"It was like a missile coming down and a massive explosion, debris going everywhere. And to have those people on board, it's really a tragic way to see people pass away," DeSantis said. (Screengrab image: via X-EO)

Meanwhile, newly surfaced recordings revealed the pilot's desperate conversation with air traffic controllers before impact.

"We're going to crash into the ground," the pilot radioed, according to The Associated Press, citing recordings captured by LiveATC.net.

The pilot had reported icing and turbulence before declaring an emergency during a rapidly accelerating descent, AP reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, supported by the FAA. Authorities closed Military Trail and prepared to relocate approximately 600 nearby residents as investigators secured the crash scene. The cause remains undetermined.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a "whistling noise" just before a huge fireball erupted.

Surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and anti-aircraft defenses have been deployed to protect President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate and the nearby Donald J. Trump International Airport in Palm Beach, Florida, at the request of the US Secret Service due to a heightened threat environment. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

America's Women: Called for Such a Time as This

ICYMI: President Trump Sent a Message to Christians Honoring Reformation Day: 'God's Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ'

Do You Use Wikipedia? You Should Be Aware of This: It Prohibits Content from 97% of Conservative News Websites

Prayer Alert: 'Like a Missile Going Down!' 9 Dead in Florida Jet Crash (Video)

Brainwashed: El-Sayed Backer, Who Wanted to Kill Jewish MAGA Activist, Loved America Before University

Another Michigan Democrat, Haley Stevens Endorses Republican Mike Rogers over Abdul El-Sayed in Tight Senate Faceoff (Video)

The Spiritual Warfare is REAL Over the Midterms: Occultists Engaging in Rituals Hoping for a Democrat Takeover of Congress

A Sacred Assembly: Saturday's Prayer for America on DC's National Mall

130 Christians Slaughtered in 3 Different Countries

Israel Vote Results Leave Netanyahu, Eisenkot Blocs Short of Majority

'Thank God for a Miracle': The Extraordinary Detail Behind the Deadly Checkpoint Attack in Israel (Video)

Minnesota Senate Candidate Flanagan: People Who Stigmatize Abortion 'Don't Know What Happens'

California Sanctuary Cities Ignored 8,901 ICE Detainers and Released Violent Criminals, House Judiciary Report Finds

Amish vs. Public Health™ Showdown Over Vaccine Mandates Nears Climax at Supreme Court

Report: Fired General Admitted Classified Leaks

Evacuations Begin in War-Ravaged Oleshky Under Melania Trump-Brokered Ceasefire (Video)

Mel Gibson Sends Powerful Message to Churches Ahead of 'The Resurrection of the Christ' (Video)

'Students are Hungry for God's Word': Southern Baptist Gateway Seminary Reports Record Enrollment

As Final Israel Vote Count Nears, Israeli President Urges Compromise to Break Electoral Stalemate

Chilling Somali Song Translation: Is This Ilhan Omar's Disturbing Message to Americans?