Family says copilot killed in Florida jet crash 'fought until the last moment'
BOCA RATON, FA – One of the pilots who died in a fiery private jet crash that killed nine people in South Florida has been identified by family as Nathalia Filgueiras, an aviator described by relatives as a young woman who "showed any girl could do what it takes."
In a Nov. 2 interview outside her Boca Raton home one day after the crash in Palm Beach County, Filgueiras' sister told reporters the 20-year-old copilot "fought until the last moment she could."
Giulia Filgueiras, 21, called her sister a brave, "amazing girl" who always followed her dreams, the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. She said Nathalia wanted to be a pilot since the age of 12.
The aircraft she copiloted, a Learjet 60 en route to the Bahamas from Austin, Texas, crashed around 12:50 p.m. ET on Nov. 1.
During a Nov. 2 news conference, National Transportation Safety Board member Thomas Chapman said all nine people on board – two crew members and seven passengers – died in the crash. Chapman said one person on the ground suffered a leg injury. No other injuries were reported, officials said.
In separate interviews with the New York Times and New York Post, Nathalia Filgueiras' mother Camila Corteleti said her aviator daughter had logged more than 1,300 hours of flight time and earned her pilot’s license at 17. She said her daughter worked for Upper Jets, a private charter firm based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Corteleti said her daughter had been working for the company for nine months at the time of her death.
In a statement to USA TODAY, Upper Jets shared condolences to those affected by the crash. The company said it is cooperating with local, state, and federal authorities.
"Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this tragedy," the company said. "We are committed to supporting the families of all those who lost a loved one yesterday, and are praying for them as we grieve together."
The Federal Aviation Administration said the private jet departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when it crashed.
The FAA and the NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash, with the NTSB leading the investigation.
Medical examiner working release official identities
The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office on Nov. 2 told USA TODAY it was working to officially identify all nine people on board.
As of late morning, none of the crew members or passengers had been identified, District Medical Examiner Catherine R. Miller told USA TODAY.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, but heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were occurring in the area at the time the jet went down, forecaster AccuWeather said in a statement. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts up to 25 mph and reported a visibility of 7 miles.
Moments before the crash, a person in the cockpit said the crew was "managing the ice," encountering "moderate" turbulence and seeking "better rides," according to audio posted by LiveATC, a website that broadcasts air traffic control communications.
Contributing: Arianna Otero with the Palm Beach Post
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.