‘I've got turbulence, I've got ice’: Co-pilot's chilling text 10 minutes before Learjet crash
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: A 20-year-old co-pilot aboard the Learjet that crashed in Palm Beach, Florida, killing nine people, reportedly sent a chilling warning to her pilot boyfriend just 10 minutes before the disaster.
Nathalia Filgueiras told him, "I've got turbulence, I've got ice," as the aircraft encountered severe weather.
The Learjet 60 crashed near President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate on Sunday, November 1, bursting into flames after plunging into an intersection.
Investigators believe severe weather played a significant role in the crash, while newly released air traffic control audio captured the pilots' desperate final moments.
The co-pilot of the Learjet that crashed into the ground in Florida has been identified as 20-year-old Nathalia Filgueiras, texted her boyfriend just 10 minutes before the crash. Filgueiras' mother said she "always knew" a plane would "take her away from me." The pilot was flying to the Bahamas when the plane plummeted 20,000 feet per minute into the ground. "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," her mother told the New York Post. "I knew that a plane was gonna take her away from me. I always knew it, but I was so proud of her. I know she was living her dream." Just 10 minutes before the crash, Filgueiras reportedly texted her boyfriend: "I’ve got turbulence, I’ve got ice." The female pilot got her pilot license in high school. Her stepfather says she had 1,300 hours of experience. In a social media post, Filgueiras boasted about how young she was as a pilot with her boyfriend. "How often do you see 2 pilots under 21 with a commercial, multi-engine, instrument, CFI/CFI-I," she said. 8 other people were on board the jet when it crashed. They have yet to be identified.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 2, 2026
Nathalia Filgueiras' final warning before Learjet crash
Filgueiras' stepfather, Thiago, told the New York Post that she had texted her boyfriend, who was also a pilot, about the difficult flying conditions shortly before the crash.
Her family also confirmed to the publication that she was at the controls when the aircraft went down.
The young pilot had developed a passion for aviation early in life. She grew up in Palm Beach County and earned her pilot's license in 2023, when she was just 17.
In a previous interview with CBS12, Filgueiras spoke about how proud she was of the achievement. She said she would brag about being able to fly whenever her friends teased her about not being able to drive.
EXCLUSIVE: The 20 year old co-pilot Nathalia Filgueiras who was one of the 9 victims in the Learjet crash in Florida being interviewed by CBS News 3 years ago. She obtained her pilot’s license before getting a drivers license. https://t.co/ckv0EnrH1e
— Florida Man (@FloridaManAF) November 2, 2026
"They would say to me, 'Oh, you can't drive,' and she would respond, 'Yeah, but I can fly,'" she recalled.
Her mother, Camila, often shared pictures of her daughter and siblings travelling on private jets. Her father, Allan, also held a pilot's license.
Speaking to The New York Times, Camila remembered her daughter's love for aviation, saying, "She loved the freedom. It was completely different seeing the world from the top."
Pilot Jeff Gregory's final moments captured in crash audio
Air traffic control audio released after the crash captured the frightening final exchanges between the pilots and air traffic controllers.
Pilot Jeff Gregory, 55, could be heard reciting the Lord's Prayer, saying, "Who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." Meanwhile, Filgueiras was heard reporting that the aircraft had banked 60 degrees, indicating that it was flying at a severe angle.
The situation quickly deteriorated as the aircraft began losing altitude. Filgueiras told controllers, "Seven two two bravo delta, we're descending 8,000... mayday mayday... we're descending 10,000ft per minute."
She then declared an emergency, saying, "Declaring emergency, declaring emergency, we are in an overspeed condition."
As the aircraft continued its rapid descent, her voice grew increasingly panicked.
"Descending 20,000ft per minute... we're going to crash into the ground," she said.
An air traffic controller tried to reassure her, responding, "I'm here with you, talk to me."
But Filgueiras soon reported that the aircraft was descending at 22,000 feet per minute and banking 60 degrees. Her final transmission was, "We're out of time."
The plane crashed moments later, killing all nine people on board.
NTSB examines severe weather and ice buildup
At a press conference on Monday, November 2, National Transportation Safety Board officials said severe weather was a "significant factor" in the crash.
The pilots had reportedly requested to climb another 2,000 feet after encountering a thunderstorm. Investigators are also examining the possibility of ice buildup on the aircraft.
Some aviation experts have suggested that the Learjet may have encountered a phenomenon known as "coffin corner" while attempting to climb above two storm systems.
The term describes a dangerous situation at high altitudes in which an aircraft's minimum and maximum safe speeds come extremely close, leaving pilots with very little room to control their speed.
Former pilot Martin Varsavsky suggested that the aircraft may have encountered difficulties while navigating the storm systems.
He said pilots flying light jets should maintain a safe distance from severe weather rather than attempt to pass through it.
Air traffic controllers in Miami had earlier warned the pilots about moderate precipitation to the southeast, describing the conditions as "pretty nasty." They also mentioned moderate turbulence as the aircraft approached the area.
Nine killed in Florida Learjet crash near Mar-a-Lago
The $2 million business jet was travelling from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas when it crashed about eight miles from Trump's Mar-a-Lago country club.
Among those killed were tech tycoon Adam Robinson, 45, his wife, Helen Sharp, 40, their two children, their nanny and two friends. The remaining victims were also among the nine people who died.
The crash sent debris across a large area and left a massive crater in the road.
Authorities said nobody on the ground was killed or injured, although one man suffered a leg injury after being struck by debris.
The Federal Aviation Administration is sending a team to assist with the NTSB investigation, while the exact cause of the disaster remains unclear.
Meanwhile, rumours that rock star Lenny Kravitz was among those on board spread on social media. His representative, Carleen Donovan, denied the claims, telling the Daily Mail, "The reports are untrue and incorrect."
