Young copilot killed in fiery Florida Learjet crash identified as 20-year-old

The co-pilot killed in Sunday’s fiery Learjet crash in Florida has been identified as 20-year-old Nathalia Gadelha, an aspiring airline pilot who earned her pilot’s licence before she learned to drive, Fox News reports.

Her mother and stepfather confirmed her identity to the New York Post.

Gadelha grew up in Palm Beach County and obtained her private pilot licence at 17, while she was at West Boca Raton High School. She later qualified as a commercial pilot and flight instructor.

The Learjet 60 was flying from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas when it crashed into a residential area near Cresthaven. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said all nine people on board were killed.

About 600 nearby residents were evacuated.

Air traffic recordings indicated the crew reported ice and turbulence before the jet rapidly lost altitude.

“We’re going to crash into the ground,” a crew member radioed, according to the Associated Press.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.