20-year-old copilot among nine dead in Palm Beach jet crash
The Learjet 60 went down Sunday at 12:50 p.m. after the pilot declared an emergency due to ice buildup and turbulence.
By Alessia Romano ·
A Learjet 60 carrying nine people crashed into a residential neighborhood in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday at 12:50 p.m., killing all on board. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the death toll in a post on X, describing the incident as a horrible tragedy. The aircraft, which was en route to the Bahamas, descended sharply after the pilot declared an emergency.
Family members identified the copilot as Nathalia G. Filgueiras, a 20-year-old whose father is a pilot. Her brother confirmed the identification and noted that the family is of Brazilian origin. He stated that Filgueiras learned to fly from her father and that aviation was her greatest passion. The plane crashed near a busy highway, leaving a large crater and scattering asphalt fragments.
Witnesses captured video of the jet falling from the sky before it exploded in a ball of fire. Black smoke enveloped the site as onlookers gathered near the impact zone, which was located just meters from homes and inches from passing vehicles. Governor Ron DeSantis visited the scene and told reporters the crash was catastrophic. He compared the descent to a missile dropping from the sky and noted the size of the crater formed beside the road.
Air traffic control recordings obtained by LiveATC.net provide details on the final minutes of the flight. The pilot initially reported clear and light ice accumulation along with moderate turbulence. He stated that the conditions were manageable but that the jet was being shaken at altitudes up to 700 feet. The situation deteriorated quickly after the aircraft encountered precipitation.
The pilot requested a climb and subsequently declared an emergency as the plane began losing altitude at an alarming rate. Radio transmissions show the pilot announcing a descent rate of 8,000 feet per minute, followed by 10,000 feet per minute. As the speed increased, he reported an overspeed condition with a descent rate of 20,000 feet per minute.
In the final moments before impact, the pilot transmitted that they were about to hit the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration has stated it will support the National Transportation Safety Board in investigating the crash. The accident occurred in Palm Beach County, marking a major disruption to the local area.
The investigation will focus on the mechanical failures or external conditions that led to the rapid loss of altitude. The NTSB is the lead agency for the probe, with the FAA providing technical assistance. Local officials are working to manage the aftermath of the explosion and the resulting fire.
