Nine killed in Florida Learjet crash as investigators examine weather
Original report:
Relatives have identified a 20-year-old co-pilot and seven passengers killed when a private jet crashed in Palm Beach county. Investigators are examining weather conditions and crew reports of icing and turbulence, but have not established a cause.
A Learjet 60 flying from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas crashed near a mobile home park in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday, killing all nine aboard. Relatives identified co-pilot Nathalia Filgueiras, 20, and passengers Adam Robinson, Helen Sharp, their two children, two family friends and the children’s nanny. Media reports identified the captain as Jeff Gregory, 55.
National Transportation Safety Board investigator Tom Chapman said weather would be central to the inquiry. The crew reported icing and moderate turbulence before receiving permission to climb from 35,000ft to 37,000ft. Within 30 seconds, they reported descending and issued a distress call. Investigators also cited possible breakup before impact; no cause has been established.
The crash occurred amid severe thunderstorms that also briefly shut Miami international airport and diverted commercial flights. Investigators must distinguish conditions at ground level from those encountered at altitude. Chapman said the force of impact would complicate debris recovery, with some aircraft parts potentially scattered beyond the main crash site.
Source
the Guardian — 2 November 2026
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