Photo: Saul Martinez / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Family members have identified eight of the nine victims killed in a tragic Learjet crash in Florida on Sunday (November 1). The victims include Texas multimillionaire tech entrepreneur Adam Robinson, his wife Helen Sharp, their two young children, Emma and Charlie, and their nanny, Anita Maria Apellido Cetina. Two friends, Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr, were also on board. The father of 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha confirmed her presence on the flight, and TMZ reports the pilot was 55-year-old Jeff Gregory.
The Learjet 60 was en route from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it crashed near Greenacres, Florida. According to the New York Post, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, which occurred after the plane encountered icing and turbulence. The crew requested to climb from 35,000 feet to 37,000 feet shortly before declaring an emergency.
The crash scattered debris over a 1.2-mile radius and forced the evacuation of nearby residents. The NTSB confirmed that the plane broke up before impact, and they are examining whether icing played a role. The NTSB has urged witnesses with photos or video to contact them and cautioned the public not to disturb the debris.
Gadelha, who earned her pilot's license at 17, was heard on air traffic control recordings during the plane's final moments, as reported by Fox 13 News. The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are continuing their investigation into the crash.