Nathalia Gadelha's first instructor and mentor makes emotional admission after fatal plane crash
Nathalia Gadelha’s first instructor and mentor has described her as a ‘natural-born pilot’ after it emerged, following the plane crash that killed her, that she had earned her pilot’s licence at the age of 17.
The 20-year-old was co-piloting a Learjet 60 when it descended into a residential area in Palm Beach County on Sunday (1 November).
All nine people on board died instantly, including the pilot-in-command, Jeff Gregory, 55.
Chris Kirk, who says he was one of Gadelha’s first instructors and mentors, has shared a tribute on social where he also defended her abilities.
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Gadehala was ‘without a doubt the most naturally gifted pilot I have ever taught,’ he said, adding that he had been teaching for forty years. Kirk said Gadelha impressed her examiners, writing ‘that young lady was born to fly!”
In a poignant tribute shared to Instagram on Wednesday (4 November), he also said: "I write these words unequivocally…I was one of Nathalia’s first instructors and mentor.
"She was without a doubt the most naturally gifted pilot I have ever taught, and I have been teaching for 40 years!! That young lady was born to fly!
"There was not a check ride that the examiner was not blown away!"
Kirk recalled how at the time, Filgueiras had less than 1,100 hours of experience, but 'absolutely aced the PIC type rating’.
Recalling her flying abilities, he went on: "And the examiner thought she had about 5000 hours! I gave her numerous opportunities to fly different airplanes to include tailwheel and the Caravan.
“When I gave her her spin endorsement for her CFI, we did so many spins that I started to become nauseous! Truth!!
"I am saddened, because so many of the pilots in training today never wanted to become pilots and only want to become airline pilots. As I did check rides, I saw this time and time again.
"They had no passion for flying. They only wanted to get to the airlines to make the big money…Nathalia was PASSIONATE about flying!!! She was a 100% natural born pilot!!!
"I pray that she continues to fly amongst the clouds in heaven. May she rest in peace and God watch over her."
The tribute also comes following scrutiny of Gadelha's credentials and age. Gadelha, who grew up in Palm Beach County and went to West Boca Raton High School, was previously featured in local news when she got her private pilot’s license aged just 17 in October 2023 when she was a 17-year-old senior.
The passengers have since been identified as businessman Adam Robinson, 45, his wife Helen Sharp, 40, their children Emma, four, and Charlie, two, their nanny Anita Maria Cetina, and friends Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr.
Nathalia's stepfather, Thiago Corteleti, told The New York Post that the young aviator had messaged her boyfriend, who is also a pilot, shortly before the fatal crash.
"She texted her boyfriend, I think, at 12:40 p.m. and the accident was at 12:50 p.m.," he said. "She just said, 'I've got turbulence, I've got ice’."
According to investigators, the crew reported ice and turbulence to air traffic control at 12.47pm and requested permission to climb to 37,000 feet. Less than 30 seconds later, the situation deteriorated dramatically, with the crew reporting a rapid descent and declaring a mayday.
At 12.48pm, Nathalia radioed: "We're descending 8,000 - mayday, mayday - we're descending 10,000 feet per minute."
She then reported: "We are in an overspeed condition descending 20,000 feet per minute."
Moments later, she said: "We're going to crash into the ground."
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now investigating the disaster.
Greg Harris
