Family of Four from Texas Perished in Greenacres Plane Crash

A Texas family of four was among the nine passengers killed when a private jet crashed in Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday afternoon. The aircraft broke apart in mid-air before slamming into the ground near Military Trail, scattering debris across a 1.2-mile stretch of Palm Beach County and erupting into a large fireball.

The flight originated in Austin, Texas, and was bound for the Bahamas. It departed at 10:37 a.m. The crew reported icing and turbulence at 12:47 p.m. and requested a climb to 55,000 feet. Less than 30 seconds after that request, the plane entered a rapid descent and issued a Mayday distress call. Timothy Monville, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, said preliminary evidence indicates the aircraft broke up before impact. Icing is currently under investigation as a contributing factor.

The victims included tech entrepreneur Adam Robinson, his wife Helen Sharp, their children Emma, 4, and Charlie, 2, and their nanny Anita Maria Apellido Cetina. Two friends, Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr, were also aboard. The captain, 55-year-old Jeff Gregory, and co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha, 20, were killed. Gadelha had earned her private pilot’s license at age 17 while attending West Boca Raton High School. She began flight lessons in 2020 with funding from her school district’s Aviation Academy and later graduated from American Flyers flight school.

Relatives of the Texas group released a joint statement on Facebook on Monday. They described Adam and Helen as devoted parents who were the love affair that will last forever. The family noted that Helen and Adam’s warmth and generosity touched many lives. They described Charmi and Rachel as friends who were all in on each other and the life they were building. Anita Maria was remembered for caring for the children with tenderness and devotion, making her truly part of the family. The families expressed gratitude to first responders and the Palm Beach County community for their care.

Adam Robinson graduated from Rice University in Houston in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics, Spanish, and managerial studies. He was a member of Jones College and earned two varsity letters as a member of the men’s basketball team during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. The school confirmed his death in a statement released on Monday.

The crash forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents from 77 nearby mobile homes and injured one man on the ground. Mayor Sara Baxter declared a county emergency. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident. Authorities have not yet released the official identities of the remaining victims. The NTSB has asked witnesses with photos or video to email the agency and cautioned the public not to disturb debris.

Memorial service details will be shared once arrangements are made. The families requested privacy as they grieve.