Learjet Co-Pilot’s Final Text to Her Boyfriend Revealed After Deadly Florida Crash

A Heartbreaking Message Sent Minutes Before the Crash

A 20-year-old co-pilot sent her boyfriend a brief message about the conditions she was facing in the air, just minutes before a private jet crashed in Florida, killing everyone aboard.

The message was simple but devastating in hindsight.

“I’ve got turbulence, I’ve got ice.”

Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras sent the text approximately 10 minutes before the Learjet 60 went down in Palm Beach County on November 1, 2026. Her stepfather, Thiago Corteleti, shared the message in an interview with the New York Post.

The aircraft was traveling from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when it crashed near Greenacres, Florida.

All nine people aboard died, including both pilots and seven passengers.

Who Was Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras?

Nathalia had dreamed of becoming a pilot from an early age. She earned her pilot’s license at just 17, while she was still in high school.

Her family said she had accumulated approximately 1,300 flight hours by the time of the crash. She had also been working as a commercial pilot for around nine months.

She worked for Upper Jets, a private charter company based in Fort Lauderdale.

 

Her mother, Camila Corteleti, and stepfather, Thiago, spoke publicly about their daughter’s passion for aviation and the pride they felt in her achievements.

Camila described the pain of knowing that her daughter’s dream had taken her away from home.

“I wanted her to live her dream,” she said, reflecting on the career Nathalia had worked so hard to build.

Despite being only 20, Nathalia had already reached a milestone many aspiring pilots spend years pursuing.

Her Final Text Described Turbulence and Ice

According to her stepfather, Nathalia sent the message to her boyfriend, Justin, at approximately 12:40 p.m. on November 1.

The crash happened around 12:50 p.m.

The timing and wording were shared by her family through an interview with the New York Post. The private text itself has not been independently authenticated in the public reporting.

However, the message is consistent with the conditions the flight crew separately reported to air traffic controllers.

During the flight, the pilots discussed icing and moderate turbulence. They also requested permission to climb to a higher altitude in search of smoother conditions.

Initially, the crew described the icing as manageable. However, the situation reportedly became more difficult as the aircraft encountered precipitation.

The cockpit communications later reflected a rapidly developing emergency.

The Crew Declared an Emergency as the Jet Descended

Air traffic control recordings captured the increasingly urgent exchanges between the pilots and controllers.

The crew reported significant altitude changes and requested assistance as conditions deteriorated.

The aircraft then entered a steep descent.

 

The pilot reported an overspeed condition as the descent rate increased to approximately 20,000 feet per minute.

One of the final transmissions included the chilling statement:

“We’re going to crash into the ground.”

The emergency unfolded within a very short period. The recordings have become an important part of the investigation into the aircraft’s final moments.

However, the precise sequence of events inside the cockpit and the reason the aircraft lost control have not yet been established.

Could Ice Have Contributed to the Crash?

Reports of icing and turbulence have placed weather conditions among the major areas investigators are examining.

Aircraft icing can occur when supercooled water droplets freeze on exposed surfaces. Depending on the location and amount of ice, accumulation can affect lift, increase drag, and interfere with an aircraft’s handling.

Severe icing can create dangerous conditions, particularly when combined with other operational or mechanical problems.

Nevertheless, the presence of ice does not establish that it caused this crash.

Investigators must examine the aircraft’s systems, flight data, weather conditions, maintenance history, and physical evidence before determining what happened.

As of November 4, investigators have also reported finding pieces of the aircraft’s left elevator several miles from the crash site. That evidence indicates the aircraft broke apart before impact, although investigators have not determined whether the elevator separated because of the conditions during the descent or whether its loss contributed to the accident.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Nine People Lost Their Lives in the Florida Crash

The Learjet 60 was carrying nine people when it crashed near Greenacres in Palm Beach County.

Among the victims were technology entrepreneur Adam Robinson, his wife Helen Sharp, their two young children, and a nanny who helped care for the family.

Their friends Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr were also aboard.

The two pilots were Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras and Jeff Gregory.

The aircraft struck the ground near a residential community, producing a large fire and leaving extensive damage at the scene.

Emergency crews responded as flames and debris spread across the impact area. Nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution, and hundreds of people were affected by the emergency response.

Authorities reported no fatalities on the ground, although reports indicated that at least one person nearby suffered an injury.

Investigators Continue to Search for Answers

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Investigators are examining the aircraft wreckage, weather information, flight communications, and other available evidence.

The discovery of aircraft components away from the main impact site has added another important detail to the investigation.

Still, officials have not announced a final cause.

The reported text message from Nathalia provides a heartbreaking glimpse into the conditions she was experiencing shortly before the crash. It also highlights how quickly a difficult flight can become an emergency.

For her family, however, the investigation cannot change the loss of a daughter who had worked toward her aviation dream since childhood.

Nathalia was only 20 years old. She had earned her license as a teenager, built hundreds of hours of flying experience, and begun the professional career she had always wanted.

Her final reported message was brief, but it has become one of the most painful details to emerge from the tragedy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras?

Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras was a 20-year-old pilot who served as co-pilot aboard the Learjet 60 that crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, on November 1, 2026.

What was Nathalia’s final reported text message?

According to her stepfather, she texted her boyfriend: “I’ve got turbulence, I’ve got ice.”

How long before the crash did she send the message?

Her stepfather estimated that she sent it around 12:40 p.m., approximately 10 minutes before the crash at about 12:50 p.m.

How old was Nathalia when she earned her pilot’s license?

She earned her pilot’s license at 17, while she was still in high school.

How many people died in the Learjet crash?

All nine people aboard the aircraft died. They included two pilots and seven passengers.

Has the cause of the Florida Learjet crash been determined?

No. The NTSB is investigating the crash. Icing, turbulence, precipitation, and evidence that the aircraft broke apart before impact are among the details being examined. No final cause has been established.

Real Estate Disclaimer

This article is presented for informational and news purposes. Aviation accident investigations are complex, and early reports may change as additional evidence becomes available. The information presented does not establish fault or determine the cause of the crash. Readers should consult official FAA and NTSB updates for verified findings.