Nathalia Gadelha identified as 20-year-old co-pilot in Palm Beach County jet crash
The young pilot, who earned her license in high school, died Sunday when a private jet broke up mid-air, killing all nine people aboard.
By Chloe Zhao ·
A private jet traveling from Texas to the Bahamas disintegrated in mid-air on Sunday afternoon, killing everyone on board. Federal investigators say the twin-engine aircraft suffered an in-flight breakup before slamming into a mobile home park in Palm Beach County.
The flight departed Austin, Texas, at 10:37 a.m. The crew reported icing and turbulence at 12:47 p.m. and requested a climb to 55,000 feet. Less than 30 seconds later, the plane entered a rapid descent. Flight-tracking data shows the aircraft was falling at more than 20,000 feet per minute before it struck the ground near Military Trail and burst into flames.
NTSB investigator Timothy Monville stated that preliminary evidence indicates the plane broke up before impact. Icing is currently under investigation as a potential factor. Debris scattered across a 1.2-mile area, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents from 77 nearby mobile homes. One man on the ground was injured in the crash.
Nathalia Gadelha was identified by her family as one of the nine victims. She was 20 years old and was co-piloting the Learjet 60. Her mother and stepfather confirmed her identity to the New York Post. Gadelha began flight lessons in 2020 under the guidance of her father. She earned her private pilot’s license at age 17 while attending West Boca Raton High School.
Her training was funded through the school district’s Aviation Academy. She later graduated from American Flyers flight school while pursuing a career as a commercial airline pilot. In a 2023 interview, Gadelha noted she had already logged 88 flight hours and earned multiple aviation qualifications before turning 21.
The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are leading the investigation. NTSB Member Tom Chapman is scheduled to brief the media on Monday at 1 p.m. EST from the Emergency Operations Center in West Palm Beach. Mayor Sara Baxter declared a county emergency following the crash.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the remaining seven victims. The NTSB has asked witnesses to email photos or video to witness@ntsb.gov. The agency also urged the public not to disturb the debris field.
Source: FOX 13 Tampa Bay
