Stepdad of Learjet co-pilot says: 'Our daughter is down there'

The friends and family of a 20-year-old pilot who died in a fiery blaze after the jet nosedived in Florida have spoken out for the first time.

Stepdad of Learjet co-pilot says: 'Our daughter is down there'

TL;DR

  • A Learjet carrying nine people, including 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Filgueiras, crashed in West Palm Beach, Florida.
  • Filgueiras's final moments were captured on air traffic control audio, expressing panic about the plane's descent and an overspeed condition.
  • The jet exploded into a fireball, leaving a crater and a large debris field; all nine souls on board perished.
  • Weather conditions included overcast skies, rain, lightning, and strong winds.
  • The National Transportation Safety Board indicated the aircraft may have started breaking apart before impact.
  • The flight originated in Austin, Texas, and was bound for the Bahamas.
  • Among the passengers were tech tycoon Adam Robinson, his wife Helen Sharp, their two young children, their nanny, and another couple.