20-year-old co-pilot identified in fatal Florida Learjet crash

Nine people died when a Learjet 60 crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, on November 1, 2026. Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, 20, was identified by her mother Camila and stepfather as the co-pilot. The jet, N722BD, flew from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport toward North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas and crashed on Military Trail in Greenacres. About 600 residents were evacuated; authorities said no one on the ground was injured. Gadelha earned her private pilot's license in September 2023 at 17, before a driver's license, paid for by the Palm Beach County School District Aviation Academy. She began lessons in 2020, logged 88 hours, and graduated from American Flyers. In 2023 she said she bragged that she could fly when told she could not drive. RadarOnline cited her radio calls declaring an emergency and an overspeed descent of 20,000 feet per minute. Governor Ron DeSantis said crash video was like a missile and a massive explosion. CONTESTED: The United Cajun Navy said the other pilot was believed to be her fiancé Jack, with confirmation pending, and that she reported icing and severe turbulence; authorities have not confirmed those ATC details. Coverage cites descent rates above 20,000 feet per minute and Flightradar24 data above 32,000 feet per minute. The FAA and NTSB are investigating. Cause undetermined.