Father of 20-Year-Old Pilot Killed in Learjet Crash Breaks Down: “I Wanted to Be Beside Her”

The heartbreaking Learjet crash in Florida claimed nine lives, including 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Filguieras. Now, her father, Allan Filguieras, is speaking out about the devastating loss of the daughter he called his soulmate, his greatest pride, and a true hero.

Nathalia was only months away from turning 21, but she had already accomplished more than many people achieve in a lifetime. She had worked as a commercial pilot for approximately nine months, accumulated around 1,300 flight hours, and was working toward her biggest dream of becoming an airline pilot.

Her passion for aviation began when she was just 12 years old. Her father introduced her to flying, and what started as a shared hobby eventually became the strongest bond between them.

For years, Allan taught his daughter how to fly. But as Nathalia gained experience, something beautiful happened: the student eventually became the teacher.

“When we were flying together, I used to instruct her, but then she became my instructor,” Allan recalled.

On November 3, a Learjet 60 crashed in Florida, killing all nine people aboard. Among the victims were pilot Jeff Gregory, members of a family, and Nathalia, who was serving as co-pilot.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are still working to determine what caused the tragedy. No official cause has been established, although icing on the wings is one of the possibilities being examined.

Since losing his daughter, Allan has repeatedly listened to the air traffic control recordings from the aircraft’s final moments. He is desperately searching for answers, hoping to find something that might explain what happened.

But the grief has been almost unbearable.

Speaking about Nathalia, he struggled to hold back his tears and described her as someone who was much more than his daughter.

“She was gifted. She was gifted, and my soulmate,” he said.

Her family has also spoken publicly to defend her professional reputation. Despite being only 20, Nathalia had demonstrated exceptional ability throughout her aviation training.

Her attorney, Stuart Grossman, emphasized that she was highly qualified for her position and had performed exceptionally well.

“Nathalia was beyond an average pilot; she was extraordinary,” he said.

He also explained that she had been among the top students in her class and was fully qualified to serve as co-pilot.

For Allan, however, the most important thing is making sure people remember who his daughter truly was. She was a talented young woman with enormous dreams, a passion for flying, and a future that was taken away far too soon.

Her father also revealed that he had been listening to the final recordings again and again, searching for even the smallest clue that could help him understand why the aircraft went down.

Then came the most heartbreaking moment of his interview.

When asked about the tragedy, Allan admitted that he wished he could have been aboard the plane with his daughter.

Through tears, he explained that he wanted to be beside her, to help her, and to face those final moments together.

“I wanted to be by her side. Inside the plane. To help. To be by her teammates. I had to be next to her.”

Those words reveal the unimaginable pain of a father who lost not only his daughter but also his closest companion and the person with whom he shared a lifelong passion.

Nathalia was only 20 years old, but she had already touched so many lives. Her dream of becoming an airline pilot may never have been fulfilled, but her family hopes her talent, courage, and love for aviation will never be forgotten.