Student Pilot Safely Lands Plane After Instructor Reportedly Jumps Mid-Flight
A 22-year-old student pilot in Argentina safely landed a training aircraft after her instructor, 42-year-old Leandro Bertazzo, reportedly jumped from the plane during a flight on July 4 near Toledo in Córdoba Province.
According to the trainee, Bertazzo removed his headset, set aside his phone, unfastened his seatbelt, opened the aircraft door, and told her, “You know what to do, keep moving forward,” before jumping.
Despite the terrifying situation, the student remained calm, radioed for help, and successfully landed the Cessna C-150 at Coronel Olmedo Airport without assistance.
Bertazzo was later found dead in a nearby field. While colleagues described him as cheerful and professional, reports indicate he had previously undergone psychiatric treatment. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident.