Florida plane crash victims identified after 9 people killed in fiery wreck

The Learjet 60 departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at about 10:37 a.m. and was headed to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when it crashed in Palm Beach County, according to investigators. Federal officials said Monday that weather conditions are a "major focus" of the investigation after the crew reported encountering light clear ice and moderate turbulence at about 35,000 feet.

After requesting permission to climb from 35,000 feet to 37,000 feet, the crew declared an emergency as the aircraft began rapidly losing altitude. "We are in an overspeed condition, descending," the crew told air traffic controllers, NTSB member Tom Chapman said.

Victims Identified

Among the victims was Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, a 20-year-old aspiring commercial pilot from Palm Beach County who earned her private pilot's license at 17, before she got her driver's license. Filgueiras trained through her high school's aviation academy and later graduated from American Flyers flight school.

Adam Robinson, 45, a Texas tech entrepreneur, was traveling with his wife Helen Sharp, 40, and their two young children, Emma, 4, and Charlie, 2. Robinson was CEO and co-founder of Retention.com, RB2B and Moltsets. In a joint statement, the families remembered Adam and Helen for their "warmth, generosity and gift for making people feel welcome." The children were described as "the light of their lives."

Adam was much more than our CEO. He was a friend, a mentor and a bold, outspoken leader who lived life to the fullest.

Other Victims

Also killed were Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr, who were described as building a life together "filled with joy and adventure." Their families said they "loved their people fiercely, fully and without hesitation." Anita Maria Cetina, who cared for Emma and Charlie and was considered part of the Robinson-Sharp family, was also among the victims. "She showed us a legacy of unconditional love and devotion," the families said.

The National Transportation Safety Board said there are preliminary indications that the aircraft may have begun breaking apart before impact. At least one person on the ground suffered a leg injury, while debris from the aircraft was scattered across ball fields, businesses and homes. The FAA is assisting the NTSB with the investigation.

Investigation Continues

The cause of the crash has not been determined, but investigators are focusing on weather conditions as a major factor. The Learjet slammed into a South Florida neighborhood, erupting into a massive fireball just nine miles from Mar-a-Lago. Fox News Digital has reached out to Aurora Aviation and the victims' businesses for additional information.