Learjet Crash Kills Nine En Route to Birthday Celebration
Pilot recited Lord's Prayer as co-pilot warned of 20,000 feet per minute descent before Florida tragedy.
Carla Rooney
A Learjet 60 crashed near West Palm Beach, Florida, killing all nine people on board.
Adam Robinson, CEO of Retention.com and a former Wall Street professional, died in the crash. His wife, Helen Sharp, who ran the communications firm Influential PR and owned an Aspen pottery studio, also perished.
The couple's two young children, Emma, 4, and Charlie, 2, were among the victims. Friends Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr, along with the children's nanny, Anita Maria Cetina, also died.
Pilot Jeffrey Gregory, 55, recited the Lord's Prayer in the moments before impact. Co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras warned air traffic control the aircraft was descending 20,000 feet per minute.
The love affair that will last forever.
The aircraft entered a rapid dive shortly after requesting a climb. Pilots had asked to gain 2,000 feet of elevation when they encountered a thunderstorm.
Filgueiras reported 'light, clear ice' and 'moderate turbulence' to air traffic control. Part of the jet appeared to have broken off before the crash.
A meteorologist claims the pilot may have flown directly into the eye of a thunderstorm. Aviation experts suggest the plane may have fallen foul of 'coffin corner' while attempting to climb above two storm systems.
The crash site, approximately nine miles from President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, shows a large crater. The family was travelling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas.
Families of the seven passengers released a joint statement. They remembered Helen and Adam as "the love affair that will last forever."
Full of joy and adventure.
The statement also paid tribute to Charmi and Rachel as being "full of joy and adventure." Anita Maria cared for the children with "tenderness and devotion," the families added.