Pilot Identified in Palm Beach County Jet Crash That Killed 9
The pilot of the private jet that crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday, killing all nine people aboard, has been identified as Jeff Gregory, a 55-year-old from Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania.
All nine people aboard the Bahamas-bound aircraft, two crew members and seven passengers, were killed in the crash, according to authorities. Among the victims were a family of four, including two young children.
Pilots Remembered by Former Employer and Family
Gregory’s former employer shared a statement after his death. “We are deeply saddened to learn that Captain Jeff Gregory was among those who lost their lives,” the company said.
The plane’s co-pilot was identified by her family as 20-year-old Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras of Boca Raton, Florida. Her mother, Camila Corteleti, confirmed her death, and her stepfather also identified her to ABC News.
Passengers Identified
Family members have identified several of the passengers. Adam Robinson, Helen Sharp and their two children, Emma and Charlie Robinson, were among those killed, according to a family statement.
CNN also confirmed through family statements that Rachael Reed, Charmi Fehr and Anita Maria Cetina were aboard the plane. Several of the passengers were from Texas, where the flight began.
What Happened
The Learjet 60, a 22-year-old twin-engine business jet, took off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
On Sunday afternoon, the plane went down in the Greenacres community of Palm Beach County. According to the FAA, the jet made a rapid dive of about 350 feet per second before crashing near Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue.
The crash left a deep crater and burning debris near homes and businesses. The pilots made a mayday call to air traffic control before the crash, and the moments leading up to the impact were captured on a passing vehicle’s dashcam.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office closed Military Trail near the impact site to allow emergency crews and investigators to work.
The Investigation
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. NTSB investigators have recovered part of the jet’s tail section, which they described as an important piece of evidence.
Investigators have not determined what caused the crash. A flood watch was in effect for Palm Beach County at the time, as heavy rain moved through South Florida, but officials have not said whether weather played any role.
The NTSB typically releases a preliminary report within several weeks of a crash, while a final report determining the probable cause can take a year or more.
A Devastating Loss
The crash is the deadliest on record involving a Learjet 60. For the families of the nine people aboard, the loss has been devastating, and tributes have begun to pour in for the pilots and passengers.
As investigators work to determine what went wrong, the families of the victims are left mourning loved ones who set out on a trip to the Bahamas and never arrived.
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