Florida Plane Crash: Texas Family of Four Identified Among Nine Fatalities

The families of Adam Robinson, Helen Sharp, and their two children confirmed on Monday that the group of four from Texas were among the nine individuals killed in a plane crash in Greenacres, Florida. The joint statement, posted on social media, named Emma and Charlie Robinson, who were four and two years old respectively, as well as two friends, Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr. The group was traveling with a nanny, Anita Maria Apellido Cetina, and the two pilots aboard the aircraft.

The accident occurred on the afternoon of November 1, when a private jet suffered an in-flight breakup over Palm Beach County. Debris was scattered across an area measuring 1.2 miles. All nine people on board were killed in the crash, which forced the evacuation of residents from 77 nearby mobile homes and resulted in injuries to one man on the ground. Mayor Sara Baxter declared a county emergency in response to the incident.

According to Federal Aviation Administration data, the flight departed from Austin, Texas, at 10:37 a.m. with a destination of the Bahamas. At 12:47 p.m., the crew reported encountering icing and turbulence. The pilots then requested a climb to 55,000 feet. Within 30 seconds of that request, the aircraft entered a rapid descent and the crew issued a Mayday call before the plane struck the ground near Military Trail.

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the cause of the crash. NTSB investigator Timothy Monville stated that preliminary evidence indicates the aircraft broke apart before impact. Icing is being examined as a potential factor in the breakup. The agency has asked witnesses to submit photos or videos to its official email address and has advised the public to leave the debris field undisturbed.

The captain of the plane was identified as Jeff Gregory, who was 55 years old. The co-pilot was Nathalia Gadelha, a 20-year-old who had begun her flight training in 2020 under the supervision of her father. Gadelha earned her private pilot license at age 17 while attending West Boca Raton High School. Her training was supported by the school district’s Aviation Academy, and she later completed training at American Flyers flight school while pursuing a career in commercial aviation.

In a 2023 interview, Gadelha noted that she had logged 88 flight hours by the time she turned 21. She had also obtained multiple aviation qualifications alongside her boyfriend. Her family identified her as the co-pilot in the fatal crash.

Adam Robinson, a graduate of Rice University in Houston, earned a bachelor's degree in 2003. His studies focused on economics, Spanish, and managerial studies. He was a member of Jones College, one of the university's residential colleges. Robinson also played on the men's basketball team, earning varsity letters during the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

The families of the victims described the group in their statement as a close-knit unit that valued joy and adventure. They noted that Robinson and Sharp were devoted parents and that their nanny, Cetina, was treated as a member of the family. The relatives expressed gratitude to first responders and the local community for their support during the aftermath of the crash.

Authorities have not yet released the official identities of the remaining victims. The NTSB and the FAA will continue their joint investigation into the mechanical and environmental conditions that led to the breakup. Memorial service details for the deceased are expected to be shared by the families once arrangements are finalized.