55-Year-Old Learjet Captain Jeff Gregory Was Heard Reciting the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ Before Fatal Florida Crash

Nine people, including a family of four, their nanny, and two crew members, died when a private jet crashed in Florida on Sunday. Among the victims were 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras and 55-year-old captain Jeff Gregory.

Audio recordings of the aircraft’s final communications with air traffic control captured a male voice apparently reciting the Lord’s Prayer as the plane descended.

The Learjet 60 was flying from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when the accident occurred.

At approximately 12:50 p.m. on Sunday, the aircraft began a rapid descent before crashing in a residential area near Greenacres in Palm Beach County.

According to ABC News, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the aircraft descended from approximately 35,250 feet to 8,750 feet in just over a minute.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are examining the circumstances surrounding the accident. Reported icing, turbulence, and possible structural failure are among the factors being investigated.

At a news conference on Monday, the NTSB said there was evidence suggesting that the aircraft may have started breaking apart before hitting the ground.

“The weather conditions are a major focus of the investigation,” NTSB board member Tom Chapman said, according to Reuters.

“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 was identified as 55-year-old Jeff Gregory.

East Coast Jets, a private charter company where Gregory had previously worked, confirmed his death and released a statement expressing condolences to his family and everyone affected by the tragedy.

“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 company said, according to NBC Miami.

Gregory was remembered by people who knew him as a dedicated and dependable person.

According to The Sun, a tribute shared by his former church, Limerick Chapel in Limerick, Pennsylvania, said that he had “gone home to be with the Lord.”

His former friend and neighbor, David Peters, also spoke about Gregory and recalled their connection through the church they attended growing up.

Peters described him as “very diligent and dependable.”

He also remembered Gregory’s interest in aviation from a young age, saying that he had always wanted to become a pilot and loved wearing his leather bomber jacket.

Lord’s Prayer Heard in Final Radio Communications Before Crash

Gregory’s Christian faith was an important part of his life, according to people who knew him.

Following the accident, recordings of the Learjet’s final radio communications with air traffic control attracted widespread attention.

In the recording, a male voice can reportedly be heard reciting part of the Lord’s Prayer as the aircraft descends.

The words include: “Who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.”

The recording also captures the co-pilot warning that the aircraft was about to crash.

According to reports by The Mirror and the New York Post, the male voice is believed to belong to Captain Jeff Gregory. However, the speaker’s identity has not been officially confirmed.

The recording captures the crew’s final emergency communications before contact with the aircraft was lost.

Gregory leaves behind his wife, Cheryl, and three children, according to the New York Post.

NTSB Continues Investigation Into Fatal Florida Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Investigators are examining the aircraft’s reported icing, turbulence, rapid descent, and evidence of a possible in-flight breakup.

Officials have not yet established the exact cause of the accident.

The investigation is ongoing.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of all nine victims. May they rest in peace.