NFL Pro Bowl standout Joe Mixon has disclosed 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 startling connection in an emotional post on social media, remembering the two pilots who had safely flown him just weeks before the fatal Florida accident.
The Learjet plunged approximately 27,000 feet in a single minute before striking the ground on Sunday. The impact created a large crater and claimed the lives of everyone on board.
In a message posted to X, Mixon said he was “absolutely devastated” by the plane crash and revealed that he had traveled on the aircraft the previous month with the same pilots.
He described the pilots as highly professional and genuinely kind, adding that hearing about the young woman’s life and promising future made the tragedy even more painful.
Mixon offered his condolences to the victims’ relatives and friends, saying the crash was a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change. He urged people to cherish their loved ones while they have the opportunity.
NFL star Joe Mixon said he had previously flown with pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras
Mixon shared an emotional tribute after learning that the same aircraft and pilots were involved in the crash
The young pilot mentioned by Mixon is believed to be 20-year-old Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras. She received her pilot’s license at 17 and worked for Upper Jets, a private charter company headquartered in Fort Lauderdale.
The remaining victims included a wealthy businessman, members of his family, their nanny and another couple, according to information released following the devastating Florida crash.
Adam Robinson, 45, and his wife, Helen Sharp, 40, were traveling with their children, four-year-old Emma and two-year-old Charlie.
A joint statement from the victims’ families said the family had been flying from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas. Their nanny, Anita Maria Cetina, and another couple, Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr, were also on the Learjet.
TMZ reported on Monday that the aircraft’s captain was 55-year-old Jeff Gregory, who is believed to have been the second pilot who flew Mixon last month.
It has not been disclosed where Mixon traveled on the jet. The running back is currently a free agent while seeking an opportunity with another NFL team.
Aviation specialists have suggested that the $2 million jet may have been affected by a phenomenon known as coffin corner
Federal investigators are examining the fatal flight to establish what caused the crash
Mixon visited Seattle last month for a physical with the Seahawks, but the team chose not to offer him a contract after concerns related to a degenerative foot condition.
Following the failed workout, NFL sources reportedly questioned whether Mixon would be able to play again, while several teams raised concerns about his long-term physical condition.
Audio released Monday from the fatal crash in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, captured what investigators believe were the pilots’ final moments. In the recording, Gregory could reportedly be heard reciting the Lord’s Prayer.
As the prayer continued, Filgueiras was heard saying that the Learjet 60 had rolled to a 60-degree bank, leaving the aircraft flying almost sideways.
Moments later, the plane crashed in a fireball by the side of the road, killing all nine people who were on board.
Adam Robinson, 45, and his wife Helen Sharp, 40, were aboard the jet alongside their toddlers Emma, four, and Charlie, two, during the crash
Filgueiras grew up in Palm Beach County and first got her pilot license in 2023 at the age of 17
At a press conference, officials with the National Transportation Safety Board said they believe severe weather was a ‘significant factor’ in the disaster and that part of the jet appeared to have broken off before the crash.
Officials said the pilots requested to gain 2,000 feet of elevation when they encountered a thunderstorm, moments before the aircraft spiraled to the ground.
Some aviation experts have speculated that the plane may have hit what pilots call ‘coffin corner’ while trying to climb above two storm systems.
The term describes the very narrow gap between safe minimum speeds and safe maximum speeds while flying at high altitude. If a pilot goes too slow or too fast, they can easily stall the plane or lose control.