Friends and family are remembering 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, who tragically lost her life in a Learjet crash in Florida. Mikaela Schluth, a close friend of the late co-pilot, described her warmly, stating that she was truly like sunshine and the best person to be around. Schluth shared that Filgueiras had a unique ability to make people feel genuinely loved and cared for, adding that she would miss everything about her every single day.
Reflecting on the aviation disaster, Schluth noted that learning about her friend's death was the worst news she had ever received. She expressed immense pride in how Filgueiras handled the final moments of the flight, specifically praising her ability to stay calm and communicate vital information right up until the end. The two friends frequently worked out together, and Schluth noted that listening to Filgueiras speak about aviation served as a massive source of inspiration.
Schluth recalled childhood sleepovers where they watched aircraft takeoff videos while Filgueiras explained the mechanics of each craft. Although heartbroken by the reality of life without her friend, Schluth expressed gratitude for the time they shared together. Filgueiras had earned her pilot's license at the age of 17 during high school, achieving the milestone before even obtaining her driver's license.
Her mother, Camila, shared with the media that her daughter had been working as a commercial pilot for nine months and would have celebrated her 21st birthday in January 2027. Despite her underlying fears that aviation might eventually claim her daughter's life, her mother expressed immense pride in knowing Filgueiras was actively living out her dream. Filgueiras's stepfather noted that she had already accumulated 1,300 hours of flight experience.
A graduate of the Addison, Texas-based flying school American Flyers with a branch in Florida, Filgueiras began taking flight lessons in 2020 after learning basics from her father. She previously worked as an instructor at a school in Fort Lauderdale before securing her subsequent position. Local media had previously spotlighted her achievement when she earned her license in 2023 as a West Boca Raton High School senior, where she famously joked that while she might not be able to drive a car, she knew how to fly a plane.