Nine people lost their lives in Sunday’s plane crash in Florida, including a family of four and their nanny. The victims also included 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia and 55-year-old pilot Jeff Gregory. Now, the flight instructor who mentored Nathalia Filgueiras has shared an emotional tribute in memory of his former student.
The crash took place around 12:50 p.m. Sunday in Palm Beach County, Florida, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.The Learjet 60 private jet had taken off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.
A FAA spokesperson told LADbible: “A Learjet 60 crashed in a residential area near Cresthaven, Florida, around 12:50 p.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 1. Nine people were on board.
“The aircraft departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.
“The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB is in charge of the investigation and will provide all updates.”
Florida plane crash victims
Among those killed in the crash was businessman Adam Robinson, 45, and his wife, ceramicist Helen Sharp, 40; their children Emma, 4, and Charlie, 2, and the family’s nanny, Anita Maria Cetina. The other victims included pilot Jeff Gregory, 55, and co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, 20, as well as couple Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr.
In a statement released together, the victims’ families said: “Adam and Helen were devoted parents, and Emma, 4, and Charlie, 2, were the light of their lives. Helen and Adam were the love affair that will last forever.
“Their warmth, generosity and gift for making people feel welcome touched so many lives. Their loss will be felt deeply by all those who loved them and who they loved in return.”
The statement continued: “Charmi and Rachael were full of joy and adventure. They loved their people fiercely, fully and without hesitation. From the moment they met, they were all in on each other and the life they were building. They are deeply loved, and we will miss them endlessly.
“Anita Maria cared for Emma and Charlie with tenderness and devotion, and she was truly part of the family. She showed us a legacy of unconditional love and devotion.”
Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras
Now, Filgueiras’ former instructor, Chris Kirk, has taken to Facebook to share an emotional tribute to the 20-year-old, remembering her exceptional talent and deep passion for flying.
“I write these words unequivocally,” he began.
“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!
“When she did her Lear type rating, she had less than 1100 hours and she absolutely aced the PIC type rating 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!!”
Kirk concluded: “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.”
Rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of everyone who lost their lives in this devastating tragedy.
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