Pro Bowl NFL star Joe Mixon has revealed that he flew on the very same Learjet that crashed in Palm Beach on Sunday, killing all nine people aboard.
The 30-year-old football player shared the shocking revelation in an emotional social media post, remembering the pilots who had safely flown him to his destination only weeks earlier.
On Sunday, the jet plunged 27,000 feet in a single minute before smashing into the ground and leaving a deep crater. Everyone aboard was killed instantly.
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.
‘They were incredible professionals and genuinely wonderful people. Hearing the young woman’s story and learning about the bright future she had ahead of her makes it even more heartbreaking that her life was cut so short.
‘My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to the grieving families and loved ones of everyone on board. A tragic reminder of how fragile life is. Love on your loved ones while you can, because you never know what tomorrow may bring.’
NFL star Joe Mixon revealed that he recently flew with pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras
Mixon shared an emotional tribute to the pilots after flying aboard the same aircraft
Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, 20, is believed to be the young female pilot Mixon mentioned in his post. She obtained her license at 17 and worked for Upper Jets, a private charter company based in Fort Lauderdale.
A business tycoon, his family, their nanny and friends have been identified as the other victims of the devastating Florida crash.
Adam Robinson, 45, and his wife, Helen Sharp, 40, were traveling with their children, Emma, four, and Charlie, two.
According to a joint statement from the victims’ families, the family was flying from their home in Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas with their nanny, Anita Maria Cetina, and another couple, Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr.
TMZ identified the aircraft’s captain as Jeff Gregory, 55, earlier on Monday. He is believed to have been the second pilot who flew Mixon last month.
It remains unclear where Mixon traveled on the jet. He is currently a free agent and looking for his next team.
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Experts have suggested that the $2 million jet may have been brought down by a phenomenon known as coffin corner
Federal authorities are investigating the crash to establish what went wrong
Mixon did travel to Seattle last month for a physical with the Seahawks, but the team ultimately chose not to sign him because of his degenerative foot condition.
Following that decision, NFL insiders said he may ‘never play again,’ while several teams reportedly raised concerns about his long-term health.
On Monday, disturbing audio from the fatal crash in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, appeared to capture Filgueiras’ co-pilot, Gregory, reciting the Lord’s Prayer during the aircraft’s final moments.
As he prayed, Filgueiras could be heard saying that the Learjet 60 had banked 60 degrees, indicating that it was flying almost sideways.
The aircraft crashed moments later in a fireball beside the road, killing all nine people aboard.
Adam Robinson, 45, and his wife, Helen Sharp, 40, were aboard the jet with their children, Emma, four, and Charlie, two
Filgueiras grew up in Palm Beach County and received her pilot license in 2023 at age 17
At a press conference, National Transportation Safety Board officials said severe weather appeared to be a ‘significant factor’ in the disaster. They also said part of the jet may have broken off before the crash.
Officials said the pilots requested an additional 2,000 feet of altitude after encountering a thunderstorm, shortly before the aircraft spiraled toward the ground.
Some aviation experts believe the jet may have entered what pilots call ‘coffin corner’ as it attempted to climb above two storm systems.
The term refers to the extremely narrow margin between a safe minimum speed and a safe maximum speed at high altitude. Flying too slowly or too quickly can cause an aircraft to stall or become uncontrollable.
