Nine people, including a family of four and their nanny, died in the plane crash in Florida on Sunday. Among the dead were also 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia and 55-year-old pilot Jeff Gregory. The audio recording between the air traffic controller and the plane reveals what Gregory did in the last seconds: pray.
The Learjet 60 private plane was flying from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when tragedy struck.
Around 12:50 p.m. on Sunday, the aircraft suddenly began losing altitude before plunging toward the ground and crashing onto a highway. The impact sparked a massive fireball, leaving a huge crater in the road and scattering debris across the surrounding area.
Before the crash, the plane had reportedly made a sharp right turn before entering a steep descent. According to ABC News, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the jet dropped from 35,250 feet to 8,750 feet in just over a minute. That’s roughly 350 feet per second.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are now working to establish what caused the deadly accident. Possible factors include ice, turbulence, and human error.
At a news conference on Monday, the NTSB said the aircraft may have started breaking apart before hitting the ground at high speed, Reuters reported.
“The weather conditions are a major focus of the investigation,” NTSB board member Tom Chapman said, according to the news agency. “We do have some evidence that there was some breakup of the aircraft before impact. We may find parts of the aircraft some distance away from the actual impact site.”
Captain in Learjet 60 Florida crash identified as 55-year-old Jeff Gregory
The pilot has since been identified as 55-year-old Jeff Gregory. East Coast Jets, a private charter company where Gregory previously worked, confirmed his death. In a statement, the company said it was deeply saddened by the news and sent its condolences to his loved ones.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that Captain Jeff Gregory was among those who lost their lives in yesterday’s tragic aviation accident in Palm Beach. Our prayers go out to Jeff’s family, his fellow crew member, the passengers, and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” the statement read, according to NBC Miami.
Per The Sun, a church tribute to Gregory read that he “went home to be with the Lord when the plane he was flying crashed.”
His old friend and former neighbor, David Peters, told the news outlet that the church they grew up attending, Limerick Chapel in Limerick, Pennsylvania, was the one sending out information about Jeffrey’s death.
Peters told The Sun that Jeff Gregory was “very diligent and dependable.” He also recalled how he had wanted to become a pilot from a young age, saying he “loved wearing his leather bomber jacket.”
Captain Jeff Gregory recited the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ in final act before crash
That faith was clearly an important part of Jeff Gregory’s life. Not least when the last-ever audio from the Learjet 60 was disclosed.
In the tragic last moments of the crew and passengers’ lives, pilot Jeff Gregory was heard reciting the Lord’s Prayer in his final moments, per The Mirror.
The distress call recording was made in the final minutes before the crash, in which Gregory is heard saying, “Who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,” before co-pilot Nathalia is heard screaming, “We’re going to crash into the ground,” as the audio goes silent.
Per the NY Post, Jeffrey leaves behind his wife, Cheryl, 53, and three children.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this immense tragedy. May they all rest in peace.
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