Nine killed as private jet descends 10,000 feet per minute in Florida crash
Jeff Gregory, a 55-year-old pilot from Pennsylvania, died in the accident involving a Learjet 60 that was traveling from Texas to the Bahamas.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
Jeff Gregory, a 55-year-old man from Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, was the pilot of a private jet that crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday. The accident killed all nine people aboard the aircraft, which was a Learjet 60. The plane was traveling from Texas to the Bahamas when it went down.
FAA records confirm Gregory’s residence in Gilbertsville. His former employer, East Coast Jets, a private aviation company based in Allentown, identified him as the captain of the flight. Gregory worked for the company in 2016 and 2017. The co-pilot, 20-year-old Nathalia Filgueiras, was also killed in the crash.
Relatives of the victims confirmed that Adam Robinson, his wife Helen, and their two young children were among the passengers. Limerick Chapel in Limerick, Pennsylvania, is currently assisting Gregory’s family with funeral arrangements. East Coast Jets described the company as deeply saddened by the news. A statement from the firm noted that prayers went out to Jeff’s family, his fellow crew member, the passengers, and everyone affected by the tragedy.
Audio from the cockpit captured the final moments of the flight. A voice in the recording said, “Seven two two Bravo Delta, we’re descending 8,000. Mayday! Mayday! We’re descending 10,000 feet per minute!” Aviation attorney John Gagliano commented on the crew composition. He stated that Filgueiras was fully credentialed and flying alongside an experienced captain. Gagliano added that her age did not appear to be a factor because she held all required licenses.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are on the scene in South Florida. NTSB member Tom Chapman said that specialists from the office of transportation disaster assistance are working closely with local agencies and families. Chapman explained that these teams are there to provide support to those involved in the incident.
The plane is registered to an LLC in Wilmington, Delaware. Gagliano noted that the incident recalls a deadly Learjet 55 crash that occurred after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport last year. He observed that both aircraft appeared to be out of control. Investigators have indicated that weather conditions will be a major focus as they work to determine what caused the steep descent.
