# NASA chief defends young co-pilot after Florida plane crash

> NASA chief defends 20-year-old co-pilot over harrowing final audio before Florida plane crash.
- Title: NASA chief defends young co-pilot after Florida plane crash
- Summary: NASA chief defends 20-year-old co-pilot over harrowing final audio before Florida plane crash. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman defended Nathalia Gadelha…
- Keywords: nasa, nathalia gadelha filgueiras, co-pilot, florida plane crash, jared isaacman, nasa administrator, final radio calls, plane crash, entertainment, culture, news, chief
- Source: LADbible — https://ladbible.com/news/us-news/learjet-pilot-nasa-chief-statement-604484-20261102
- Published: 2026-11-02T20:50:51.033+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nasa, nathalia gadelha filgueiras, co-pilot, florida plane crash, jared isaacman, nasa administrator, final radio calls, plane crash, entertainment, culture, news
## NASA chief defends co-pilot
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman defended 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras after Florida plane crash.
## Crash details
Nine people died in Florida plane crash on 1 November, including co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras.
## Co-pilot's background
Filgueiras got pilot's license while in high school and was 20 years old at crash.
## Final radio calls
Co-pilot spoke to air traffic control before plane crashed in Florida on 1 November.
## NASA chief's statement
Isaacman said co-pilot was doing her job and knew she was going to die.

> she was the second-in-command (sic), and while she was empowered to point out mistakes as part of good crew resource management, she was doing her job, communicating with atc right to the end in a terrifying situation
## Investigation ongoing
NTSB reported crew was at 35,000 feet with ice and turbulence before crash.

> the crew transmitted that they were at 35,000 feet with moderate turbulence with altitude deviations of about 700 feet
## Key takeaway

NASA administrator Jared Isaacman defended Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, a 20-year-old co-pilot who died in a Florida plane crash, after hearing criticism of her final radio calls.