Co-Pilot’s Final Words in Florida Learjet Crash

A tragic Learjet crash in Florida on Sunday claimed the lives of all nine on board, including its 20-year-old co-pilot, Nathalia Filgueiras. Her last communications have been described by friends and have brought attention to the harrowing moments before the crash.

Nathalia Filgueiras, a young co-pilot of the Learjet 60, issued a mayday call to air traffic control as the plane began to rapidly lose altitude over Palm Beach County. The plane, which was on its way from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas, nosedived, resulting in a devastating impact.

“722 Bravo Delta, we’re descending 8,000 feet. Mayday, Mayday, we’re descending 10,000 feet per minute!”

These were Filgueiras’ urgent words broadcasted over the radio. A longtime friend, Mikaela Schluth, who has known Filgueiras since middle school, shared her experience during an interview with CBS Mornings. Schluth recalled the final radio exchange as “probably the worst thing I’ve ever heard.” The jet eventually erupted into a fireball upon crashing.

As the situation worsened, Filgueiras continued to provide updates to air traffic control about their decreasing speed and altitude. Just before the catastrophe, she announced, “we’re about to crash into the ground” and expressed that they were “out of time.”

More details have emerged concerning the tragic accident. News reports have identified Filgueiras along with other victims, including a tech entrepreneur, two young children, their mother, and a nanny. Filgueiras, who obtained her pilot’s license in high school, managed to text her boyfriend moments before the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident, examining Filgueiras’ role and the sequence of events leading to the crash. Investigators aim to understand more about the crash circumstances.

Despite the tragic outcome, Schluth expressed admiration for Filgueiras, stating, “I’m just so proud of how she handled it and was able to stay calm and give information,” highlighting her friend’s composure and professionalism in a dire situation.

This story is continuing to develop, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.