A pilot has issued a statement after online speculation suggested that she was on board the Learjet that crashed into a neighborhood in Florida on Sunday. Emily Shelton, a pilot who posts aviation-related content online, wrote in a story shared to her TikTok profile: “I was recently made aware that there are rumors that I was the pilot of the recent crash in Palm Beach. A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement to Newsweek on Monday morning: “A Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area near Cresthaven, Florida, around 12:50 p.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Nine people were on board. The aircraft departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.” The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, the spokesperson confirmed. The identities of the victims have not yet been made public.
Shelton said in her statement: “I ask that people please stop speculating and spreading misinformation on this tragedy and be respectful of those involved. In response to a request for comment on Monday morning, the Department of Transportation referred Newsweek to a statement issued by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy on November 1. Duffy said that the crash was a “horrific tragedy.” “Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we lost,” he said.
Newsweek has contacted Shelton for comment via social media message outside of normal business hours on Monday morning. Newsweek has reached out to the Palm Beach Medical Examiner and Public Affairs for Palm Beach County for more information on the crash outside of normal business hours on Monday morning. This is a developing story.
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