NewsWFLA News Channel 8 (Florida)November 6, 2026Hillsborough County
Allan Filgueiras defends his daughter Nathalia Filgueiras's pilot reputation following a fatal Florida Learjet crash
Photo: WFLA News Channel 8 (Florida)
The grieving father and pilot of 20-year-old Learjet co-pilot Nathalia Filgueiras defended her professional qualifications at a news conference following a fatal crash in Florida that killed nine people. Family and aviation experts highlighted her extensive training and calm final radio transmissions during severe turbulence and icing. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the cause of the accident.
Read the full story at WFLA News Channel 8 (Florida)Why It Matters
The NTSB investigation into the Florida Learjet crash remains ongoing to determine the cause of the accident that claimed nine lives, while the co-pilot's family seeks to address public scrutiny over her qualifications.
Key Facts
- A Learjet crash in Florida resulted in the deaths of nine people, including the 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Filgueiras and 55-year-old captain Jeff Gregory.
- Nathalia Filgueiras reported ice buildup, turbulence, and an overspeed condition in her final radio transmissions to air traffic control.
- The National Transportation Safety Board has not yet determined the cause of the crash.
- Investigators recovered part of an engine and tail pieces of the aircraft, but the cockpit voice recorder remains missing.
- The family's attorney stated there are no immediate plans for any lawsuits.
- Nathalia Filgueiras had more than 1,300 hours of experience, a commercial pilot's license, and Learjet certification.
- Other crash victims included technology entrepreneur Adam Robinson, his wife Helen Sharp, their two children, family nanny Ana María Ramírez Cetina, and hotel owners Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr.
Who's Mentioned
PersonChris Kirk“Mentor and flight instructor of Nathalia Filgueiras”PersonAllan Filgueiras“Father and flight instructor of Nathalia Filgueiras”PersonNathalia Gadelha Filgueiras“20-year-old co-pilot killed in the Florida Learjet crash”OrganizationSafety Operating Systems“Aviation consulting company run by John Cox”locationFlorida“Location of the Learjet crash”PersonStuart Grossman“Attorney representing the Filgueiras family”PersonJeff Gregory“55-year-old captain believed to have been at the controls”PersonHelen Sharp“Crash victim and wife of Adam Robinson”PersonAdam Robinson“Technology entrepreneur killed in the crash”OrganizationArca Boutique Hotel“Hotel owned by crash victims Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr”OrganizationNational Transportation Safety Board“Investigating the cause of the plane crash”PersonAna María Ramírez Cetina“Nanny killed in the crash”locationHonduras“Location associated with the Arca Boutique Hotel”PersonCharmi Fehr“Hotel co-owner killed in the crash”PersonJohn Cox“Retired airline pilot and head of Safety Operating Systems”PersonRachael Reed“Hotel co-owner killed in the crash”