NASA chief defends young co-pilot after Learjet crash conspiracy theories

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 22:45 · Archive

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has defended a 20-year-old co-pilot after online conspiracy theories blamed her for a Learjet crash that killed nine in Florida.

A Learjet 60 crashed in Florida, killing all nine people onboard. The crash has sparked conspiracy theories online, including claims about missile strikes and diversity initiatives, along with criticism of co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras' handling of the emergency.

Isaacman, who has more than 8,000 flight hours, posted on X that he felt compelled to address these theories. He said Filgueiras was 'doing her job' as second-in-command when she communicated with air traffic control through the emergency. She was likely 'going to die' before making her final radio calls, he noted. Filgueiras held the required Federal Aviation Administration qualifications, and charter companies routinely pair less experienced pilots with senior captains.

The plane was flying in stormy conditions at roughly 35,000 feet when Filgueiras reported icing and turbulence. She requested to climb above the weather before the aircraft began descending at more than 20,000 feet per minute. The plane appeared to break apart before impact, scattering wreckage across a half-mile stretch. Isaacman acknowledged the public interest but cautioned that the true cause remained unknown to those speculating online, saying investigators would need to examine the maintenance history and whether structural failure, turbulence or other factors contributed.

How it is being reported

• NASA boss slams trolls who blame young co-pilot for deadly Florida Learjet crashNASA administrator Jared Isaacman shut down netizens who blame 20-year-old Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras for the disaster.New York Post · 3 Nov, 22:24
• Outraged NASA boss slams Learjet crash conspiracy theories blaming DEI, missile and 20-year-old co-pilot for fireball that killed nineNASA Administrator Jared Isaacman spoke out against conspiracy theories emerging online after a Learjet 60 plummeted to the ground in Florida.Daily Mail · 2 Nov, 23:33

In this story: Jared Isaacman · Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras · NASA · Florida

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