Two-time Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon used his social‑media platform on Monday to share a heartfelt tribute to the families of the nine victims of a Learjet 60 that crashed on a Palm Beach County roadway Sunday. The former Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans star said he had been aboard the same aircraft about a month earlier, describing the two pilots as “incredible professionals and genuinely wonderful people.”
Mixon’s personal connection
In a post on X, Mixon wrote, “Absolutely devastated by yesterday’s tragic plane crash in Florida and the loss of all nine lives. I flew on that exact aircraft last month with those same two pilots. Their dedication and kindness will always be remembered.” He added a prayer for the grieving families, urging readers to cherish loved ones because “you never know what tomorrow may bring.”
Details of the crash
The Learjet 60 went down in a residential neighborhood in Palm Beach County on Sunday, igniting a fire that destroyed the aircraft and claimed the lives of all aboard. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released an initial briefing on Monday, noting that investigators have found indications the jet was breaking apart before impact. NTSB member Tom Chapman said weather conditions are a major focus of the investigation, emphasizing the need to determine what the atmosphere was like at altitude, not just at the surface.
Victims identified
Later Monday, authorities identified the nine individuals who perished. The victims included 20‑year‑old co‑pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, who earned her private pilot’s license at 17 and was an aspiring commercial pilot from Palm Beach County. Pilot in charge Jeff Gregory, 55, was also killed. Among the passengers were Texas tech entrepreneur Adam Robinson, 45, his wife Helen Sharp, and their two children. Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr, who were traveling together and building their lives, were also among those lost.
Community response
Local officials and community members expressed condolences, highlighting the tragedy’s impact on the close‑knit Palm Beach neighborhood. The crash has prompted renewed conversations about aviation safety and the importance of thorough weather monitoring for private flights.
What comes next
The NTSB will continue its investigation, with a focus on the jet’s structural integrity and the weather conditions at cruising altitude. The board’s findings will help determine whether mechanical issues, pilot decisions, or atmospheric factors contributed to the fatal event.
Joe Mixon’s public statement underscores the personal toll such accidents can have on those who have a direct connection to the aircraft. His call for prayer and reflection resonates with many who have lost loved ones in similar tragedies, reminding readers of the fragility of life and the importance of community support during times of grief.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
