Federal investigators confirmed Monday that the co-pilot of a Learjet 60 that crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, killing all nine people on board, was 20-year-old Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified Filgueiras as one of the victims in a statement released late Sunday, following the crash near Cresthaven at approximately 12:50 p.m. ET on Sunday.
The Learjet 60, registered to LR60271 LLC in Wilmington, Delaware, departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas en route to the Bahamas. The aircraft crashed into a residential area, erupting into a fireball and leaving a large crater on a busy roadway. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the scene as a "cataclysmic plane crash" and "a missile going down." No injuries or fatalities were reported on the ground.
NTSB investigators arrived at the scene Sunday evening to begin gathering evidence, including flight data recorders and witness testimonies. The FAA and Palm Beach County authorities confirmed that all nine individuals on board—including Filgueiras—perished in the crash. The NTSB has not yet determined the cause of the crash but noted that the aircraft experienced a rapid descent before impact.
Confirmed Victims and Flight Details
The NTSB confirmed the identities of all nine victims, including Filgueiras, who was serving as the co-pilot. The aircraft, a Learjet 60, was a private charter jet operated by Upper Jets, a Fort Lauderdale-based company. The flight originated in Austin and was bound for the Bahamas.
Filgueiras earned her private pilot’s license at age 17 while attending West Boca Raton Community High School, where she participated in the Palm Beach County School District’s Aviation Academy. The program, which includes flight simulator training, covered the cost of her license. Her mother, Camila Corteleti, told reporters that Filgueiras had 88 hours of flight time and later trained at American Flyers in Pompano Beach.
In a 2023 interview with WPEC-TV, Filgueiras joked about her ability to fly before driving, saying, "Some people think that it’s weird that I can fly planes, but I can’t drive a car. I think it’s funny." Her father, a recreational pilot, taught her to fly.
Final Moments: Distress Calls and Rapid Descent
Air traffic control recordings released Monday captured the final moments of the flight. The pilot initially reported moderate turbulence and manageable ice before requesting to climb from 35,000 feet to 37,000 feet due to precipitation. Within minutes, the situation escalated.
"Holy f***, we’re out of time," a crew member is heard yelling to air traffic control as the aircraft entered a steep dive, descending at rates up to 30,000 feet per minute. The pilot declared an emergency, issuing a Mayday call before the jet banked sharply to the right and plummeted into the ground. The FAA and NTSB are reviewing flight tracking data and air traffic control communications to determine the cause of the rapid descent.
Investigation Underway: Focus on Weather and Mechanical Factors
The NTSB has not released preliminary findings but noted that weather conditions in the West Palm Beach area on Sunday included overcast skies, rain, lightning, and 15 mph easterly winds. The aircraft’s rapid descent and loss of control remain the central focus of the investigation.
Florida officials confirmed that 600 residents from a nearby mobile home community were evacuated as a precaution. Authorities have not reported any damage to homes or injuries on the ground. The crash site, located about 14 kilometers from Mar-a-Lago, has been cordoned off as investigators continue their work.
The NTSB plans to hold a press conference in West Palm Beach on Monday to provide further updates. The FAA has sent a team to assist with the investigation, which is expected to take several days or weeks to complete.
Background: The Learjet 60 and Its Registration
The Learjet 60, tail number N722BD, was registered in January 2023 to LR60271 LLC, a Delaware-based limited liability company. Delaware’s corporate registry is widely used by businesses due to its tax and privacy advantages, and the address—1209 N. Orange Street in Wilmington—hosts thousands of entities, including major corporations. The FAA confirmed the registration but did not provide details on the aircraft’s ownership or operational history beyond its recent certification.
The crash has renewed discussions about aviation safety, particularly regarding private charter flights and the training of young pilots. Filgueiras’ story has drawn attention due to her early achievements in aviation, but investigators have emphasized that pilot experience is only one factor in such incidents.
Community and Official Responses
Local residents described the crash as a sudden and terrifying event. Anthony Blackmon, who lives near the crash site, told NBC affiliate WTVJ, "Debris was everywhere. Debris hit my house. Everything was on fire. The road was on fire." Florida officials praised first responders for managing the scene without additional casualties.
Governor DeSantis and local authorities have called for calm and patience as the investigation progresses. The NTSB has urged the public to avoid speculation until a final report is issued.