Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, 20, the co-pilot in a fatal Learjet crash in Florida, had earned her pilot's license at the age of 17. She learned to fly from her father, a recreational pilot, and had secured her license before obtaining a driver's license.
Filgueiras was piloting the Learjet 60 when it crashed near West Palm Beach, killing all nine people on board. Her mother, Camila Corteleti, confirmed that her daughter "loved the freedom" of flying and expressed a long-held fear that her daughter's passion would ultimately "take her away."
In a local news interview in October 2023, Filgueiras expressed her enjoyment of being different, stating, "I definitely do brag because people say, 'oh you can't drive,' and I'm like, 'yeah but I can fly.'" She also mentioned wanting her driver's license "really bad."
Filgueiras completed Ground School, which typically involves two to three years of theoretical training and flight simulations, along with 40 hours of instructor-led flight time and 10 hours of solo piloting, before obtaining her license. Her social media documented her flying achievements, with posts showing her pride in her abilities.
The cause of the crash, which occurred eight miles from President Trump's Mar-a-Lago country club, remains under investigation by federal authorities. Initial speculation has pointed to stormy weather and a phenomenon known as "coffin corner" as potential factors. Coffin corner occurs at high altitudes where a jet's minimum and maximum safe speeds converge, making safe speed maintenance extremely difficult. If the aircraft goes too slow or too fast, it can stall and become uncontrollable.
The Learjet was en route from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it crashed in Greenacres, Palm Beach County. Horrifying audio from the incident captured the co-pilot reciting the Lord's Prayer in the moments before impact. The plane crashed in a fireball, devastating the surrounding area and creating a massive crater in the road.
The identities of the other eight passengers have not yet been released. Officials are expected to provide further information at a press conference.