Texas Family Lost in Florida: NTSB Probes In-Flight Breakup of Private Jet

A Texas family of four and five other passengers died when a private jet disintegrated in flight and crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday afternoon. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the incident, which resulted in the deaths of all nine individuals on board.

The aircraft, which had departed from Austin, Texas, at 10:37 a.m. local time, was bound for the Bahamas. At 12:47 p.m., the crew reported encountering icing and turbulence. They subsequently requested permission to climb to an altitude of 55,000 feet. Within 30 seconds of that request, the plane entered a rapid descent and the pilots issued a Mayday distress call.

NTSB investigator Timothy Monville stated that preliminary evidence suggests the plane broke up before it struck the ground. Icing is being examined as a contributing factor. Debris from the crash was scattered across a 1.2-mile area in Palm Beach County. The impact near Military Trail created a large fireball, and air traffic control audio recorded the final moments of the flight.

Among the victims were Adam Robinson, a tech entrepreneur and 2003 graduate of Rice University, his wife Helen Sharp, and their children Emma, 4, and Charlie, 2. The couple was traveling with two friends, Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr, as well as Anita Maria Apellido Cetina, who served as the children's nanny. A joint statement released by the families on Monday described the group as deeply connected and expressed gratitude to first responders and the local community.

The pilot, Jeff Gregory, was 55 years old. The co-pilot, Nathalia Gadelha, was 20. Gadelha had earned her private pilot’s license at age 17 while attending West Boca Raton High School. Her initial training was funded through the school district’s Aviation Academy, and she later completed training at American Flyers flight school while pursuing a career as a commercial airline pilot.

In 2023, Gadelha disclosed in an interview that she had logged 88 flight hours and obtained multiple aviation qualifications before turning 21. Her family identified her to media outlets following the crash. The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are jointly conducting the investigation into the mechanical and environmental conditions that led to the breakup.

The crash prompted the evacuation of residents from 77 mobile homes in the vicinity. One man on the ground sustained injuries. Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter declared a county emergency in response to the event. Authorities have not yet released the official names of the remaining victims, though the families of the Texas group have provided their identities.

The NTSB has asked witnesses who captured photos or video of the incident to submit their materials to the agency. Investigators have advised the public not to disturb the scattered debris. The families of the Robinsons have requested privacy as they arrange memorial services.