Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, 20, has been identified as the co-pilot aboard a Learjet 60 that crashed in Florida on November 1, 2026. All nine people aboard were killed. Her mother and stepfather confirmed her identity on November 2.
Nathalia’s love of aviation began early. In 2023, CBS12 News reported on her remarkable accomplishment: she earned her private pilot’s license at just 17, before she had even obtained a driver’s license. At the time, she was a senior at West Boca Raton High School in Florida and had already logged 88 hours in the air.
She spoke of a future spent flying, with ambitions to become a commercial airline pilot or to pilot private jets. Her achievement at such a young age reflected years of dedication and a clear sense of purpose. For Nathalia, aviation was more than an interest—it was the beginning of a career she was eager to build.
Three years later, that promising path ended in tragedy. The Learjet 60 was traveling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it crashed in Florida. Nathalia was serving as co-pilot. The crash claimed the lives of everyone on board, devastating families, friends, and the wider aviation community.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident. Its cause has not yet been determined, and investigators will work to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Nathalia’s story is a painful reminder of a young life and a future cut short. She had already accomplished what many aspiring pilots only dream of, earning her license as a teenager and setting her sights on a career in the skies. Those who knew her will remember not only her ambition, but also the passion that carried her toward her goals.
Our deepest condolences go to Nathalia’s family, friends, and to everyone mourning the nine people who lost their lives. May they be remembered with love, and may their loved ones find strength and comfort in the days ahead. May they rest in peace.
