Father of copilot killed in Palm Beach jet crash recalls daughter's final composure
Allan Filgueiras, a pilot himself, described his daughter Nathalia as his 'soulmate' during a press conference held six days after the Learjet 60 crash that killed all nine people on board.
By Alina Carter ·
Nine lives ended in a residential neighborhood in Palm Beach County when a Learjet 60 plummeted from the sky on Sunday. The crash site, which left a massive crater beside the road, scattered debris across the area and displaced nearby residents. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the total loss of the aircraft and the deaths of everyone aboard.
Allan Filgueiras, the father of one of the victims, stood before reporters on Friday morning to honor his daughter, Nathalia. He appeared alongside his attorney, Stuart Grossman, to share memories of the 20 year old copilot who was born in Miami. Filgueiras described Nathalia as a gifted aviator and his personal soulmate, noting that she was top of her class and fully qualified despite her young age.
The father said he first introduced his daughter to aviation by taking her along as a passenger. She quickly became fascinated by the skies and pursued training with determination. Filgueiras recalled that their roles reversed as her skills improved. He stated that while he used to instruct her, she eventually became his instructor. He smiled as he quoted her telling him, 'Dad, I'm not being as tough on you as you were on me.'
Grossman told the press that the family is not currently suing any party. He expressed condolences to the families and friends of the other eight victims. The firm stated that Nathalia was extraordinary and more than an average pilot. The attorney emphasized that the family is waiting for government investigators to uncover the cause of the crash before making any allegations.
Filgueiras shared that he has listened repeatedly to the cockpit audio recording in the days since the accident. He said he was amazed by his daughter's composure during her final moments. He noted that she continued to fight until the very last minute. He observed that even experienced military pilots often struggle with such situations, but Nathalia remained tough and focused.
He recalled a specific quote from his daughter regarding her profession. He said she often asked, 'Dad, can you believe that I would pay for this, but they actually pay me?' He added that she was constantly amazed that people paid her to do what she loved. Her happiest moments were always spent in the air.
The Learjet 60 had departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. The crash occurred around 12:50 p.m. Sunday. First responders from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department and county fire rescue arrived immediately after the plane nose dived into the area and burst into flames. Black plumes of smoke rose into the air as the jet came down.
Among the nine victims was a Texas family of four, including tech entrepreneur Adam Robinson, his wife Helen, their two young children, and a nanny. Two traveling companions also died. Filgueiras said he has a wife and three other children who depend on him. Speaking to a reporter in Spanish, he said, 'Yo tengo que encontrar una forma de vivir.' He added, 'Nathalia doesn't want to see her father falling apart. So, I'm going to find a way to make her proud.'
National Transportation Safety Board investigators are currently examining the factors that led to the crash. Officials have not yet determined the cause of the jet going down. The investigation remains ongoing in South Florida as the family waits for findings.
