Mother of 20-Year-Old Co-Pilot Killed in Florida Learjet Crash Speaks Out About Her Daughter

20-year-old aspiring pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras was identified as one of the nine people killed when a private jet crashed in Florida. Following the tragedy, her mother has spoken publicly about her daughter’s life, ambitions, and the fears she had about her chosen career.

Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras was serving as co-pilot aboard a Learjet 60 traveling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it crashed in Palm Beach County.

The aircraft went down in a residential area near Greenacres shortly before 1 p.m. on Sunday. All nine people aboard, including seven passengers and two crew members, lost their lives.

The pilot was identified as 55-year-old Jeff Gregory. Nathalia’s family also confirmed that the 20-year-old was among those killed.

Nathalia had earned her pilot’s license while still in high school, even before obtaining her driver’s license. Her sister, Guilia Filgueiras, spoke to The Palm Beach Post and described Nathalia as an amazing young woman.

“She always followed her dream, she showed any girl could do what it takes,” her sister said. “She was really brave and fought until the last moment she could.”

Flying had been Nathalia’s dream since childhood, and she had worked hard to build a career in aviation.

Mother of Co-Pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras Speaks Out

According to the New York Post, Nathalia, who would have turned 21 in January, had worked as a commercial pilot for approximately nine months. She had reportedly accumulated around 1,300 hours of flight time.

Nathalia began her aviation training at the Aviation and Aerospace Academy at West Boca Raton High School before completing her flight training at American Flyers in Pompano Beach.

She later continued her training and became a flight instructor. Her ambition was to become an airline pilot.

In a previous interview with local television station CBS12, Nathalia spoke proudly about learning to fly before obtaining her driver’s license.

“I definitely do brag because people say, ‘Oh, you can’t drive,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, but I can fly,'” she told CBS12.

Following the crash, her mother, Camila Gadelha Corteleti, described Nathalia as a responsible and hardworking young woman.

“She was a very good girl – responsible, hardworking,” her mother told CNN Brasil.

In an interview with the New York Post, Camila also spoke about her daughter’s determination to pursue her dream.

Mother Says She Feared Her Daughter’s Dream Could Take Her Away

Camila revealed that she had long feared that her daughter’s career as a pilot could eventually lead to tragedy.

“I knew that her dream was going to be the thing that would take her away from me,” Camila told the New York Post.

“I knew that a plane was gonna take her away from me, I always knew it, but I was so proud of her, I know she was living her dream.”

Camila added: “I know if she could pick a way to go, this would be her way to go, but I didn’t want it to be so soon.”

In her interview with CNN Brasil, Nathalia’s mother also explained that her daughter was the co-pilot and was not in a position to make decisions about the flight.

Before the crash, the aircraft’s crew reported ice accumulation and moderate turbulence.

According to communications between the aircraft and air traffic control, the situation deteriorated as the flight continued. The pilot reported that the aircraft was losing altitude before declaring an emergency.

The Learjet subsequently crashed near Greenacres, killing everyone aboard.

NTSB Investigation Into Florida Learjet Crash Continues

Federal investigators are working to determine what caused the deadly accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has said there is evidence suggesting that the aircraft may have begun breaking apart before hitting the ground.

Weather conditions, including the reported icing and turbulence, are among the factors investigators are examining.

On Monday, NTSB board member Tom Chapman said the aircraft may have broken apart before impact, according to Reuters.

“The weather conditions are a major focus of the investigation,” Chapman said.

“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.”

The investigation remains ongoing, and the exact cause of the crash has not yet been established.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of everyone who lost their lives in this tragic accident.