Florida crash-hit Learjet female pilot was scolded over turbulence months before disaster

GREENACRES, FLORIDA: The Learjet 60 that crashed in Greenacres, Florida, killing all nine people aboard, was involved in a tense exchange with air traffic control months before the disaster, when a controller challenged the crew’s description of turbulence as moderate after the aircraft struggled to maintain altitude.

Audio obtained by the Daily Mail from the May incident, which reportedly took place near Newark, New Jersey, captures a female pilot telling air traffic control that the aircraft was experiencing “moderate chop” and was unable to hold its altitude. The controller disputed that assessment, warning that the conditions indicated severe turbulence.

The aircraft was identified as Learjet 60 registered N722BD, the same plane that crashed in Palm Beach County on November 1 while travelling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas. All nine people aboard the aircraft died.

Air traffic controller challenges pilot’s description of turbulence

In the May recording, an air traffic controller can be heard asking the crew why the aircraft was climbing.

“We were just about to call you,” the female pilot replied, before reporting: “We’re experiencing moderate chop and unable to hold altitude, Two Bravo Delta.” The controller then instructed the crew to descend, saying: “That’s not moderate. Descend to four thousand immediately.”

A male pilot subsequently described the conditions as moderate turbulence. However, the controller again questioned the assessment, telling the crew: “If you can’t maintain altitude, that’s not moderate. That’s severe turbulence. Are you experiencing severe turbulence?”

Both pilots responded affirmatively. When asked whether anyone aboard had been injured, the female pilot said: “No injuries as of now, but we’re still experiencing severe turbulence.”

The identities of the pilots heard in the May recording have not been confirmed. It is unclear whether the female pilot was 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, who died in the November crash.

Same Learjet later sent distress calls before deadly Florida crash

The Learjet was flying from Austin to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when it crashed in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, on November 1.

During the flight, the crew reported turbulence, precipitation and icing before requesting to climb. The aircraft then began losing altitude rapidly, prompting the pilots to issue Mayday calls to air traffic control.

“We’re descending 8,000 — mayday, mayday — we’re descending 10,000 feet per minute,” a pilot said in the recording.

The pilot later reported an overspeed condition, saying: “We are in an overspeed condition, descending 20,000 feet per minute!”

Another distress call included the warning: “We’re going to crash into the ground.”

The aircraft ultimately plunged into a residential area, killing all nine people aboard, including captain Jeff Gregory, 55, and co-pilot Filgueiras.

NTSB investigates weather conditions and possible aircraft breakup

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the crash, with the Federal Aviation Administration assisting.

NTSB board member Tom Chapman said investigators had evidence suggesting the aircraft may have broken apart before hitting the ground. Weather conditions, including turbulence and icing, are among the factors being examined.

Investigators are also reviewing the aircraft’s structure and systems, meteorological information, air traffic control recordings and flight data equipment.

The earlier turbulence incident adds to the Learjet’s reported flight history, but authorities have not established any connection between that May event and the November crash. The cause of the fatal accident remains under investigation.