Bergen County resident Nathalia Gadelha among nine killed in Palm Beach jet crash

Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, 20, was one of nine people killed when a Learjet 60 crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday, Nov. 1. She served as the co-pilot on the aircraft, which went down near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North in the Cresthaven neighborhood at approximately 12:50 p.m. Local officials and federal agencies had not publicly released the names of the other victims as of Monday.

The twin-engine jet departed Austin, Texas, and was en route to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. Crew members reported precipitation, moderate turbulence, and icing conditions prior to the impact. Flight data indicated the aircraft entered a rapid descent before striking a residential area. No injuries were reported on the ground.

Gadelha received her private pilot’s license in October 2023 at age 17, before obtaining a driver’s license. Her father introduced her to aviation around 2020. She trained through the School District of Palm Beach County’s Aviation Academy while attending West Boca Raton High School and later graduated from American Flyers flight school. Social media posts indicated she aimed to fly commercial airliners or private charter jets.

The crash site is located approximately eight miles from the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration. Investigators plan to examine the wreckage, flight data, maintenance records, weather conditions, and cockpit communications.

The NTSB has not yet determined the probable cause of the crash. The agency will continue its review of the available data and physical evidence. The FAA will support the NTSB in this ongoing process.