A Learjet 60 carrying Adam Robinson, 45, his wife Helen Sharp, 40, their children Emma, 4, and Charlie, 2, and five others crashed near Greenacres, Florida, on Sunday, killing all nine occupants. The flight originated in Austin, Texas, and was en route to the Bahamas when the incident occurred.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed the crash to reporters, noting no immediate reports of ground injuries. The Learjet 60 model involved in the crash has been the subject of prior safety concerns, though the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not yet released an official cause.
Robinson, founder of Retention.com, was a vocal advocate for bootstrapping startups and often shared his philosophy on work-life balance. In an April social media post, he wrote: “My family life gives me energy for my work. My work gives me energy for my family life.” He emphasized shutting off work devices after hours and prioritizing family presence over long hours.
A 2024 interview shared posthumously showed Robinson reflecting on his transition from Wall Street to tech entrepreneurship. He described private jet travel as “part of my identity” after first experiencing it in the early 2000s while working at Lehman Brothers. “It became this feeling of ‘wow, I can actually fly private too,’” he said, noting the status associated with the lifestyle.
Robinson’s companies, Retention.com, RB2B, and MoltSets, released a joint statement calling him “a friend, mentor, and bold leader who lived life to the fullest.” Friends and colleagues described him as a “conscious capitalist” who rejected Silicon Valley’s reliance on venture capital.
The crash occurred near President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, approximately 9 miles from the site. Witnesses reported seeing the plane go down, though the NTSB has not yet provided further details. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not issued any immediate safety advisories related to the incident.
Among the victims were also Anita Maria Cetina, the children’s nanny, and a couple, Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr, who were traveling with the family. All passengers were confirmed deceased at the scene.
The NTSB has launched an investigation into the crash, with a preliminary report expected in the coming weeks. Authorities have not ruled out mechanical failure, pilot error, or other factors as potential causes.