Mother of 20-Year-Old Co-Pilot Who Died in Florida Plane Crash Opens Up About the Childhood Dream Behind Her Daughters Final Flight
A mother is mourning her daughter, who dedicated much of her youth to fulfilling a dream of flight, only to lose her life at the tender age of 20 in a tragic plane accident in Florida.
Nathalia Filgueiras was one of nine individuals who lost their lives when a private jet went down in Palm Beach County on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Her mother, Camila Corteleti, shared heartfelt memories of her daughter, whose passion for aviation ignited during her childhood.
Behind the news stories about Nathalia was a young woman who had transformed a remarkable dream into reality. Her journey began long before her fatal flight, marked by a determination that made her stand out from her peers.
As investigators looked into the circumstances of the crash, insights into Nathalia’s brief life highlighted how profoundly her love for flying influenced her aspirations. Her mother’s reflections provided an even deeper understanding of what that dream symbolized.
Details Surrounding the Jet Crash
The Learjet 60 went down in Greenacres, Florida, resulting in the deaths of both pilots and seven passengers.
TMZ reported that the captain was identified as 55-year-old Jeff Gregory, according to a family member. While the outlet referred to the 20-year-old co-pilot as Nathalia Gadelha, The New York Times, citing her mother, called her Nathalia Filgueiras.
On November 2, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a press conference to discuss the events leading to the crash.
Reports from TMZ indicated that ice began to form on the aircraft amid moderate turbulence. The crew requested to ascend from 35,000 feet to 37,000 feet shortly before declaring an emergency.
Investigations have yet to confirm the cause of the crash, and it remains unclear which pilot was operating the aircraft when it began to descend.
As news of the tragedy emerged, unfounded rumors circulated that musician Lenny Kravitz was on board the jet.
His representative, Carleen Donovan, refuted these claims via email to BocaNewsNow on Sunday night, stating, ‘the reports are untrue and incorrect.’
For Nathalia, this flight represented a heartbreaking conclusion to a journey she had pursued since childhood.
A Unique Achievement Celebrated in 2023
Just three years prior to her untimely death, Nathalia was proudly marking an accomplishment that distinguished her from her peers.
In October 2023, CBS12 showcased the 17-year-old senior from West Boca Raton High School, who obtained her private pilot’s license before even getting her driver’s license.
While many teens were eager to get behind the wheel, Nathalia had already taken to the skies. ‘I definitely do brag because people say, ‘oh you can’t drive,’ and I’m like, ‘yeah but I can fly,’ she remarked to CBS12.
Her enthusiasm stemmed from years of hard work; she began ground school in 2020, prior to her sophomore year, and devoted her teenage years to studying aviation, practicing in simulators, and undergoing flight training.
The School District of Palm Beach County supported her journey by funding her private pilot’s license through its Aviation Academy.
Influential Childhood Experiences
Nathalia’s passion for aviation was sparked long before she entered flight school. Her mother, Camila Corteleti, shared with The New York Times that Nathalia’s love for flying was influenced by her father, who flew for leisure.
As a little girl, she often accompanied him on flights and spent time at Boca Raton Airport, observing planes taking off and landing.
These formative experiences left a substantial impact. By the time she was around 12, Nathalia had already expressed a desire to become a pilot to her family.
It was a dream she carried throughout her adolescence, even as she charted a course distinct from many of her peers.
‘I like being different than everyone,’ Nathalia told CBS12 in 2023, offering insight into a young woman who took pride in the life she was creating.
A Mother’s Reflections After the Tragedy
Beneath Nathalia’s licenses and flight hours lay a childhood enthusiasm that had evolved into something significant.
The crash on November 1 brought to a tragic close a life closely intertwined with aviation, from afternoons spent at a local airport to the role of professional co-pilot.
For her mother, those memories are integral to understanding who Nathalia was.
Speaking to The New York Times on November 2, Corteleti reflected on how her daughter experienced flying, revealing a personal insight into Nathalia’s lifelong dream. ‘She loved the freedom,’ Ms. Corteleti shared. ‘It was completely different seeing the world from the top.’
