‘This will haunt me’: Friend recalls 20-year-old Learjet co-pilot’s final cockpit moments

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: The fatal Learjet crash in Greenacres claimed nine lives, including that of 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Filgueiras.

In the days following the disaster, her longtime friend Mikaela Schluth has come forward with a personal account of the young woman's final moments.

The two had known each other since middle school and Schluth spoke to CBS News on Tuesday, November 3, reflecting on the loss while highlighting how calmly Filgueiras dealt with the crisis.

A friend remembers co-pilot's composure

Filgueiras had been drawn to aviation from an early age, earning her pilot's license at 17 while still in high school.

She had been working as a commercial pilot for nine months before the Learjet crash and would have turned 21 in January 2027.

Her interest in planes was something she shared with Schluth.

During sleepovers, the two watched videos of aircraft taking off, with Filgueiras explaining the different planes.

Schluth said listening to her friend talk about flying “inspired her so much.”

She considered Filgueiras her biggest inspiration and called the experience of flying with her “a wonderful experience.” They also spent time working out together.

Schluth's memories of their friendship go beyond their shared interest in aviation.

She described Filgueiras as “like sunshine” and said she was “just like the best person to be around.”

According to her, the young pilot made people feel “loved” and “cared about.”

Now, Schluth is struggling with the fact that those everyday moments are gone.

“I am going to miss everything about her, every day,” she said, explaining that simply spending time with her friend was what she would miss most.

She also recalled her reaction to learning about the crash, describing it as “probably the worst thing” she had ever heard.

But hearing the final cockpit communications also left her with a sense of pride in her friend.

“I’m just so proud of how she handled it,” Schluth said. She pointed out that Filgueiras “was able to stay calm and give information up until the last minute” as the aircraft encountered trouble.

Tragic mayday call sends shockwaves

The Learjet 60 was cruising at 35,000 feet during its journey from Austin to the Bahamas when the crew requested permission to climb another 2,000 feet after encountering precipitation.

Air traffic controllers cleared the manoeuvre, but the situation changed dramatically about 30 seconds later.

Filgueiras then made a distress call over the radio, repeatedly declaring “Mayday, mayday!”

She informed controllers that the aircraft was descending rapidly and reported an overspeed condition. The rate of descent eventually reached 22,000 feet per minute.

As the emergency unfolded, she warned that the aircraft was heading towards the ground.

“We’re gonna crash into the ground,” she told controllers. One controller responded, “I’m here with you, talk to me.”

The exchange was among the final communications before the Learjet slammed into a residential street in Greenacres, Florida. All nine people aboard were killed.