The death of 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras in a devastating Florida plane crash has sparked widespread discussion online, with attention turning to her social media presence and aviation career. The young co-pilot, who regularly shared videos of her flying experiences on TikTok, became the subject of criticism after footage from her account resurfaced following the tragedy.
While some social media users questioned her behaviour in videos shared online, others defended her achievements and criticised the harsh comments directed at her. Meanwhile, investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the crash, which killed all nine people aboard the private jet.
Inside the Fatal Florida Crash
Gadelha was among nine people killed when a Learjet 60 crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday, 1 November. The aircraft had departed Austin, Texas, and was travelling towards the Bahamas when it went down in the Greenacres area, according to the Associated Press.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the crew reported icing and moderate turbulence while flying at approximately 35,000 feet. The aircraft subsequently began losing altitude rapidly, with the crew declaring an emergency and reporting an overspeed condition before the crash.
Investigators also found indications that the aircraft may have started breaking apart before hitting the ground. Weather conditions, the crew's actions and possible mechanical problems are among the areas being examined, although the cause of the accident has not been established.
Gadelha's mother, Camila Corteleti, confirmed that her daughter was serving as co-pilot during the flight. Her pilot's licence qualified her to fly that model of Learjet, although she was reportedly not authorised to command the flight.
Of course she ran a girl boss TikTok page ‘Learjet_girl’ and bragged about being a female pilot.
— Eric Spracklen 🇺🇸 (@EricSpracklen) November 2, 2026
This entire tragedy was so avoidable. https://t.co/VxOy8F1Vdn pic.twitter.com/YI1jrJc9YL
TikTok Account Draws Backlash
Following news of the crash, Gadelha's TikTok account, @learjet_girl, attracted renewed attention as users revisited videos documenting her experiences in the cockpit. The account featured footage of aircraft controls, flights above the clouds and views from her journeys.
'She was running a girlboss learjet_girl TikTok channel and often flew with long nails that could impede instrument operation', one X user wrote, questioning her qualifications. 'She called herself a Lion and bragged about being a young pilot... clearly someone who is just too cocky for her own good, and that overconfidence and complacency killed 9 people'.
Another social media user shared a video from her TikTok account, claiming it showed her disregarding the runway centreline.
'This is what happens when you make something your entire personality as opposed to making it your priority', the critic said. '9 souls would be alive right now if people chased goals instead of personalities that generated clicks'.
I found this video on Nathalia Gadelha’s TikTok of her completely disregarding the centerline.
— Amiri King (@AmiriKing) November 2, 2026
This is what happens when you make something your entire personality as opposed to making it your priority.
9 souls would be alive right now if people chased goals instead of… pic.twitter.com/vXExwj3AxW
Not everyone agreed with the criticism, with several users defending the young pilot. One comment read: 'oh god forbid she worked hard, loved what she did and was proud of her achievements???'
Another urged people to reconsider their comments, noting that people had died in a frightening accident. 'Maybe take a break from your harsh judgement for a bit, especially since you likely have no idea what you're talking about', one online user wrote.
Early Ambitions in Aviation
Gadelha developed an interest in aviation while attending West Boca Raton High School in Florida. She began ground school in 2020 with support from her father, who also enjoyed flying. In September 2023, she earned her private pilot's licence at just 17, before obtaining her driving licence, having accumulated 88 flight hours.
She received training through the School District of Palm Beach County's Aviation Academy and later attended American Flyers flight school. During a 2023 interview with CBS12, Gadelha revealed that her ambition was to become a commercial airline pilot and fly passenger jets.
Meanwhile, as tributes and criticism continue to circulate online, the circumstances surrounding the Florida crash remain under investigation. The NTSB is working to examine the aircraft wreckage, its final communications and the weather conditions encountered during the flight.
