Chris Kirk, who says he was among Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras’s first flight instructors and mentors, has paid tribute to the co-pilot killed in the Palm Beach County plane crash. In a social media post, he described her as exceptionally gifted and defended her flying ability.
Kirk said that in 40 years of teaching, he had never taught a more naturally talented pilot. He recalled that Filgueiras regularly impressed examiners during check rides, and said she completed her Learjet type rating with fewer than 1,100 flight hours. According to Kirk, an examiner evaluating her pilot-in-command certification believed she had closer to 5,000 hours of experience.
Kirk also said he gave her the chance to fly different aircraft, including tailwheel planes and a Caravan. He described her enthusiasm for aviation as a quality that set her apart from trainees he felt were primarily focused on reaching the airlines and earning more money.
Filgueiras was serving as co-pilot on a Learjet 60 traveling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it crashed in Palm Beach County. All nine people aboard died, including captain Jeff Gregory and members of CEO Adam Robinson’s family.
Her stepfather, Thiago Corleti, previously said that Filgueiras sent her pilot boyfriend a message shortly before the November 1 crash, reporting turbulence and ice. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause. Investigators have been examining reports of icing and turbulence, as well as aircraft parts that appeared to separate before impact.
Sources: TMZ.