NewsWPLG Local 10November 2, 2026Miami-Dade County
Federal investigators examine midair breakup and weather conditions in South Florida Learjet crash that killed nine
Photo: WPLG Local 10
Federal investigators report that a Bahamas-bound Learjet likely began breaking apart in midair before crashing and exploding in Greenacres, Florida, killing all nine people on board. The pilot had previously reported severe icing and turbulence, rapidly losing altitude before the aircraft went down in a residential area. Authorities have established a shelter for nearby residents displaced by the ongoing investigation and wreckage recovery.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
Residents near the crash site in Greenacres are displaced from nearly 80 mobile homes with no definitive timeline for returning while federal investigators process the scene.
Key Facts
- A Bahamas-bound Learjet crashed and exploded in Greenacres, South Florida, killing all nine people on board, including two crew and seven passengers.
- National Transportation Safety Board investigators found evidence that parts of the aircraft began breaking off before it hit the ground.
- The flight originated at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas.
- Prior to the crash, the pilot reported light clear ice, moderate turbulence jolting the plane by up to 700 feet, and subsequently declared an emergency while descending rapidly up to 20,000 feet per minute.
- One driver near the crash site suffered leg wounds from debris.
- Residents of nearly 80 mobile homes near the crash site remain barred from returning home while investigators comb the area.
- Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, age 20, was identified by her mother as one of the pilots on board.
- Investigators plan to recover the plane's cockpit voice recorder to determine exact flight conditions.
Who's Mentioned
locationGreenacres“Florida city where the plane crashed”OrganizationNew York Post“Newspaper”PersonTimothy Monville“NTSB investigator”locationOmaha“City in Nebraska”OrganizationLiveATC.net“Air traffic control recording provider”PersonCamila Corteleti“Mother of pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras”PersonNathalia Gadelha Filgueiras“20-year-old pilot who died in the crash”OrganizationNew York Times“Newspaper”OrganizationWest Boca Raton Community High School“High school attended by pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras”OrganizationPalm Beach County Sheriff’s Office“Local law enforcement conducting a death investigation”locationSanta Ana“City in California”PersonTom Chapman“National Transportation Safety Board member leading news conference”PersonJoel G. Flores“Palm Beach County Commissioner”OrganizationAustin-Bergstrom International Airport“Origin airport of the crashed jet”PersonAllan Filgueiras“Father of pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras”OrganizationNBC“Broadcasting network”PersonSara Baxter“Palm Beach County Mayor”locationAustin“City in Texas”locationHartford“City in Connecticut”OrganizationThe Associated Press“News agency”PersonAnthony Blackmon“Local resident living near the crash site”OrganizationNational Transportation Safety Board“Federal agency investigating the crash”locationEast Meadow“City in New York”PersonJeff Guzzetti“Aviation safety expert and former NTSB/FAA investigator”OrganizationFlightRadar24“Flight tracking service”locationWest Palm Beach“Florida city near the crash site”OrganizationFederal Aviation Administration“Federal aviation regulatory agency”