In a tragic incident, a pilot instructor reportedly jumped from an aircraft mid-air, leaving a trainee to land the plane. The incident occurred over Toledo, south of Córdoba in Argentina. The instructor, Leandro Andrés Bertazzo, aged 42, opened the aircraft door and leaped from the plane, prompting an investigation by the authorities.
During a training flight with a 22-year-old woman, the pilot suddenly exited the aircraft, instructing the student to take control and continue flying. The student, identified as Rosario, managed to land the Cessna C-150 light aircraft safely after the pilot’s abrupt departure.
Rosario recounted that the instructor calmly advised her on what to do before he jumped from the plane. Subsequently, the student followed emergency protocols, successfully landed the plane, and sought assistance.
Despite the shocking turn of events, the student’s quick thinking and composure were commended by the school director, Eduardo Álvarez. Colleagues quickly located the instructor’s body in a nearby field shortly after the incident, confirming his tragic death.
Leandro, who had a decade of experience and a positive reputation at the Flying Parrot Flight School in Córdoba, had shown no apparent signs of distress before the incident. The aviation community remains stunned by the event, as investigations by the Federal Justice of Córdoba continue to unfold.
While officials explore all angles surrounding the incident, witness testimonies suggest a deliberate act by the instructor. The pilot’s unexpected actions have left many in disbelief, emphasizing the need for support and vigilance in the aviation sector.