‘Incredible skilled’ pilots on doomed Learjet ‘flew NFL star weeks earlier than crash’
NFL star Joe Mixon has paid tribute to the two pilots who were tragically killed in a horrific crash in Florida after revealing he flew with the same crew just weeks ago
Co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras was among nine people killed in the crash(Image: THREADS)
A top sportsman has called the pilot and co-pilot of the fatal Learjet crash as “Incredible professionals” after he revealed he flew with the same crew weeks before the Florida incident. Nathalia Gadelha Filgueira, 20, was co-piloting the doomed Learjet 60 alongside pilot Jeff Gregory, 55.
The aircraft plummeted to the ground after the crew issued a mayday call to air traffic control during its journey from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas on Sunday (November 1).
Now NFL star Joe Mixon has paid tribute to both pilots and said he was “devasted” by the news after previously flying with them both.
NFL Joe Mixon hailed both pilots as ‘incredible professionals’ when he flew with them(Image: Matt Durisko/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
Mixon, who is a two-time Pro-Bowl running back, particularly singled out young Filgueira in his tribute and called news of her death “even more heartbreaking”.
In a post on X, he wrote: “Absolutely devastated by yesterday’s tragic plane crash in Florida and the loss of all nine lives. I flew on that exact aircraft last month with those same two pilots.
“They were incredible professionals and genuinely wonderful people. Hearing the young woman’s story and learning about the bright future she had ahead of her makes it even more heartbreaking that her life was cut so short.
Jeff Gregory has been named as the pilot on board the Learjet 60
“My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to the grieving families and loved ones of everyone on board. A tragic reminder of how fragile life is. Love on your loved ones while you can, because you never know what tomorrow may bring.”
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