Florida crash co-pilot’s former instructor speaks out in defence of her experience
A flight instructor who taught Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras has insisted she was 'born to fly' and dubbed her the 'most naturally gifted' student he has ever had.
Chris Kirk has spoke out in defence of the 20-year-old who passed away on Sunday (1 November) alongside eight others following a devastating crash in Palm Beach County, Florida.
She was second-in-command on the Learjet 60 and frantically issued a mayday call in her final moments, warning air traffic control that the private plane was 'going to crash into the ground'.
The jet was carrying tech tycoon Adam Robinson, his wife Helen Sharp, and their two young children Emma, four, and Charlie, two, who were heading to the Bahamas from Texas.
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The children's nanny Anita Maria Cetina and another couple, Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr, were also onboard.
Filgueiras was in the cockpit of the doomed aircraft alongside pilot Jeff Gregory, 55, who was heard 'reciting the Lord's Prayer' in the moments before the fireball crash.
A number of people have been speaking out in defence of the young co-pilot in wake of the horror incident on Sunday, including NASA boss and billionaire businessman Jared Isaacman.
He slammed those who had been 'critiquing this poor woman’s final radio calls', saying: "She was the second-in-command (SIC), and while she was empowered to point out mistakes as part of good crew resource management, she was doing her job, communicating with ATC right to the end in a terrifying situation."
A longtime friend of Filgueiras, Mikaela Schluth, described the distressing audio of her final moments as the 'worst thing she has ever heard'.
Schluth told CBS News: "I’m just so proud of how she handled it and was able to stay calm and give information."
Now, Chris Kirk has chimed in on the debate that has erupted about Filgueiras' flying experience.
She earned her pilot license at the age of 17 while still in high school, before she even had her driving license.
Speaking to CBS12 News in 2023 about her achievements, Filgueiras said: "I definitely do brag because people say, ‘Oh you can’t drive,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah but I can fly!'"
She explained she first began taking flying lessons in 2020 and her dad also assisted her learning. The young woman often shared snaps and videos of her in the cockpit to social media.
'That young lady was born to fly'
According to Kirk, he was one of the first instructors to take Filgueiras under his wing.
In a poignant tribute shared to Instagram on Wednesday (4 November), he said: "I write these words unequivocally…I was one of Nathalia’s first instructors and mentor.
"She was without a doubt the most naturally gifted pilot I have ever taught, and I have been teaching for 40 years!! That young lady was born to fly!
"There was not a check ride that the examiner was not blown away!"
The instructor, who specialises in spin and tailwheel endorsements as well as aerobatics, then discussed what happened when his student gained certification to fly a Learjet.
Kirk recalled how at the time, Filgueiras had less than 1,100 hours of experience, but 'absolutely aced the PIC type rating'.
Detailing her impressive abilities, he went on: "And the examiner thought she had about 5000 hours! I gave her numerous opportunities to fly different airplanes to include tailwheel and the Caravan.
When I gave her her spin endorsement for her CFI, we did so many spins that I started to become nauseous! Truth!!
"I am saddened, because so many of the pilots in training today never wanted to become pilots and only want to become airline pilots. As I did check rides, I saw this time and time again.
"They had no passion for flying. They only wanted to get to the airlines to make the big money…Nathalia was PASSIONATE about flying!!! She was a 100% natural born pilot!!!
"I pray that she continues to fly amongst the clouds in heaven. May she rest in peace and God watch over her."
Filgueiras' family have told how she sent her boyfriend a text just five minutes before the fatal crash, complaining that the plane was experiencing 'turbulence' and 'ice'.
Olivia Burke
