Young Pilot Remembered As 'Born To Fly' After Tragic Crash

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A 20-year-old pilot, Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, who was celebrated as a natural-born flyer, tragically lost her life in a fatal Learjet crash in Florida. Her former flight instructor, Chris Kirk, shared heartfelt memories of her on social media, calling her a rare talent who was ‘born to fly.’

Gifted Pilot With Passion For Flying

Known for her natural talent, Filgueiras earned her pilot’s license while still in high school, long before she obtained a driver’s license. Kirk, a flight instructor with over 40 years of experience, praised her as the most naturally gifted pilot he had ever taught. ‘She was born to fly! There was not a check ride that the examiner was not blown away!’ he said in a post on Facebook.

Kirk also expressed disappointment with the current state of pilot training, noting that many students lack passion for flying and are only interested in becoming airline pilots for financial gain. ‘Nathalia was PASSIONATE about flying!!! She was a [100%] natural born pilot,’ he said.

Heartbreaking Moments From The Crash

Filgueiras was on board the Learjet that crashed on a street in Florida, resulting in the deaths of all nine people onboard. An audio recording from the doomed flight shows her updating air traffic control on their speed and altitude before declaring they were about to ‘crash into the ground’ and were ‘out of time.’

Just after she made that statement, the jet crashed and exploded, marking a tragic end to her journey. Filgueiras’s mother, Camila, shared her grief and pride, saying she knew her daughter’s dream of flying would take her away from her. ‘I wanted her to live her dream, but I knew that her dream was going to be the thing that would take her away from me,’ she said.

Legacy Of A Young Aviation Star

Despite the tragedy, Filgueiras’s legacy lives on through the memories of those who knew her. Her instructor’s words and her mother’s heartfelt statements reflect the deep impact she had on those around her. As the aviation community mourns the loss of a rare talent, her story serves as a reminder of the passion and dedication that defines true pilots.

Source: Daily Wire