South Florida – Allan Filgueiras is grieving the loss of his daughter, Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, who was killed Sunday when the Learjet 60 she was co‑piloting crashed into a roadway near the Gulf Coast. The aircraft, en route from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas, descended from 35,000 feet and impacted the ground nose‑first, killing all nine aboard.
Family’s love of aviation
Allan says he introduced Nathalia to flying when she was just twelve, taking her on rides with an instructor aboard. By seventeen she earned her private pilot’s license, and at twenty she held both commercial and flight‑instructor certificates, qualifying her to serve as a first officer on larger jets.
“She’s my soulmate,” Allan told CNN after the crash. “Having her to talk about aviation. Now, I feel like my life is missing.” He recalled a recent afternoon they spent together at a boat show, describing it as “the best day of my life to spend with her.”
Details of the crash
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation. Preliminary information shows the crew encountered turbulence, moderate icing and a thunderstorm cell shortly before the descent. Flight audio captured Nathalia reporting turbulence up to 700 feet and light ice, then later declaring a Mayday as the jet plunged at a rate of about 10,000 feet per minute. Her final transmission was, “We’re out of time.”
Air traffic control warned the pilots about severe precipitation and a potential thunderstorm on their route to Freeport, Bahamas. The crew elected to fly around the storm before being cleared to turn east. Moments later, the aircraft entered a rapid, uncontrolled descent.
Official response
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the crash scene as “looking like a missile going down.” Investigators have recovered part of the jet’s engine and are searching the crater for additional clues.
Family statements and legal stance
Allan, accompanied by attorney Stuart Grossman, held a news conference stating the family is not making any allegations at this time. “We’ll listen to what the government uncovers and then have our experts review the findings,” Grossman said.
The family, originally from Brazil, lives in Florida where Nathalia was born. Her mother, Camila Gadelha Corteleti, described her as “responsible and hardworking.” Nathalia’s stepfather, Thiago Corteleti, noted she earned her pilot’s license before she even obtained a driver’s license.
Legacy
Allan plans to continue flying in honor of his daughter. “Each time I’m gonna be flying, I’ll be connecting with her. I want to make her proud,” he said.
The crash underscores the risks inherent in aviation, even for highly trained pilots, and highlights the importance of thorough weather assessment and emergency response protocols.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
