Argentine Flight Instructor Dies After Jumping from Plane Mid-Flight; Student Safely Lands Aircraft
BUENOS AIRES: An experienced flight instructor in Argentina died after jumping from a training aircraft during a lesson, while his 22-year-old student managed to land the plane safely despite the traumatic ordeal.
According to CNN, the incident occurred on Saturday near the city of Toledo in central Argentina. Flight instructor Leandro Andrés Bertazzo, 42, was conducting a training session in a Cessna 150 aircraft with student pilot Rosario, 22.
The student told investigators that during the flight, Bertazzo said to her, “You know what to do now. Keep flying.” He then removed his headset and seat belt, opened the aircraft’s door, and jumped from the plane.
Authorities later recovered Bertazzo’s body, while Rosario, despite being in a state of shock, demonstrated remarkable composure and successfully landed the aircraft without incident. The flying school confirmed that the aircraft was not damaged.
Eduardo Álvarez, director of the flight school where Bertazzo worked, said there had been no warning signs that the instructor was planning such an act. He noted that Bertazzo had conducted another routine training flight with a different student earlier the same day.
“He made this tragic decision while another person was inside the aircraft,” Álvarez said. “It is extremely difficult to understand or even imagine, but the human mind is very complex.”
Remembering his colleague, Álvarez described Bertazzo as a kind and cheerful person who was always smiling, adding that staff members were struggling to comprehend the tragedy.
He also explained that opening the door of a light aircraft during flight is extremely difficult because of the air pressure, comparing it to trying to open the door of a car traveling at around 200 km/h.
Reports said Bertazzo was an experienced pilot who had also served as a flight instructor in neighboring Chile.
Argentina’s Public Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed the incident and announced a full investigation to determine exactly what occurred aboard the aircraft before Bertazzo’s death.
