Dad Pays Emotional Tribute to 20-Year-Old Pilot Daughter Killed in Learjet Crash: ‘She Showed Me What It Is to Be a Hero’

The grieving father of a 20-year-old co-pilot who died in a devastating Learjet crash in Florida has spoken publicly about his daughter, remembering her as a gifted aviator whose passion for flying began when she was still a child. Allan Filgueiras fought back tears as he recalled his daughter, Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, and described the pride he felt watching her pursue the career she loved.

Nathalia was among nine people killed when a Learjet 60 crashed in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, on November 1, 2026. The aircraft was traveling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it went down in a residential area. The victims included the two pilots and seven passengers, among them a family with two young children. No one aboard survived.

Allan, who is also a pilot, said he introduced Nathalia to aviation when she was young. She earned her pilot’s license at just 17 and had accumulated more than 1,300 flight hours by the time of the crash. The father and daughter frequently flew together, and eventually their roles reversed, with Nathalia sometimes becoming the instructor. He remembered how excited she was to turn her passion into a profession, once telling him she could hardly believe she was being paid to do something she loved so much.

During an emotional news conference, Allan revealed that he had listened repeatedly to the aircraft’s final radio transmissions, searching for clues about what happened. In the recordings, Nathalia can be heard reporting turbulence and ice buildup before declaring an emergency as the aircraft entered a rapid descent. Her father said he was deeply moved by her composure and determination during the final moments. “She made me so proud. She showed me what it is to be a hero,” he said.

The family’s attorney also addressed criticism questioning whether Nathalia was too young to serve as co-pilot of a private jet. He emphasized that her training, qualifications and flight experience should be considered before anyone makes judgments based solely on her age. The family said it is not making accusations against anyone and intends to wait for the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board before deciding on any further action.

Investigators are continuing to examine the wreckage and other evidence to determine what caused the aircraft to crash. Parts of the jet’s tail section were found miles from the impact site, but officials have not established whether their separation contributed to the accident or occurred during the aircraft’s descent. For Allan, the investigation may eventually provide answers, but his most important message was about the daughter he loved: a young woman who followed her dream into the sky and made her family incredibly proud.

Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/40947504/dad-mourns-pilot-daughter-killed-learjet-crash/