South Florida Learjet crash claims nine, including 20-year-old co-pilot

Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, a 20-year-old aviator from Bergen County, was confirmed as the co-pilot who died in a private jet crash in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday. Her family identified her to the New York Post on Monday, November 2, following the accident that killed all nine people on board.

The Learjet 60 departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas on Sunday morning. Its intended destination was North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. Federal Aviation Administration records show the aircraft crashed shortly before 1 p.m. near Greenacres, a suburb south of West Palm Beach. The plane struck the ground near Military Trail and caught fire.

Flight data indicates the jet entered a rapid descent just before impact. Air traffic control recordings reveal that the crew reported turbulence, icing, and precipitation prior to losing altitude. Emergency crews rushed to the scene after the impact. The crash forced the evacuation of a nearby mobile-home community, displacing hundreds of residents while investigators secured the area.

Filgueiras began her aviation career while still in high school. She earned her private pilot’s license at age 17. Her family stated that she had long dreamed of becoming an airline pilot and pursued training from an early age. She subsequently worked as a flight instructor before transitioning to a commercial pilot role.

At the time of the crash, Filgueiras had accumulated approximately 1,300 flight hours. She had been working professionally as a commercial pilot for about nine months. Her mother, Camila, confirmed that her daughter was serving as the co-pilot when the aircraft went down.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, with assistance from the FAA. Investigators are examining the aircraft’s flight history, maintenance records, and communications with air traffic controllers. They are also reviewing weather conditions present at the time of the accident.

Authorities have not yet announced a final determination of the cause. The investigation continues to assess how the reported difficult flying conditions contributed to the event. The crash is one of the deadliest recent aviation accidents in South Florida.