A 22-year-old student pilot was forced to land a Cessna 150 alone after her flight instructor jumped from the aircraft mid-flight over Córdoba, Argentina.
A tragic incident unfolded in Córdoba, Argentina, when a flight instructor jumped to his death from a small aircraft, leaving his student pilot to navigate the landing alone. Leandro Andrés Bertazzo, 42, was instructing a 22-year-old student, identified as Rosario, when he made the shocking decision to exit the aircraft mid-flight.
The incident occurred on Saturday while they were flying in a two-seat Cessna 150G. According to CNN, which cited its Argentinian affiliate TN, Bertazzo’s actions forced Rosario to take control of the aircraft and land it herself.
Eduardo Álvarez, the director of the Flying Parrot Córdoba flying school where Bertazzo was employed, expressed disbelief over the instructor’s decision. “He made this tragic decision on board an aircraft with another person by his side,” Álvarez stated. “It’s impossible to think about it or understand it, but the human mind is so complex.”
Before jumping, Bertazzo reportedly told Rosario, “You know what you have to do, carry on.” He then removed his gear, opened the door, and leaped from the plane. Álvarez noted that opening the door of an aircraft midair is an incredibly challenging task, likening it to trying to open the door of a car traveling at 124 miles per hour.
Despite the shocking circumstances, Rosario managed to land the Cessna safely. Álvarez remarked that she was in “complete shock” during the ordeal, yet there was no damage to the aircraft upon landing.
Earlier that day, Bertazzo had flown with another student, raising questions about his mental state. Álvarez revealed that Bertazzo had visited a psychiatric institute, a fact known only to his family prior to the incident.
The authorities in Córdoba are now investigating the circumstances surrounding Bertazzo’s death. The Cessna from which he jumped is currently in police custody as part of the ongoing inquiry.
This tragic event has raised concerns about mental health and safety protocols in aviation training, prompting discussions within the flying community and beyond.
According to Source Name, the investigation will seek to uncover more about Bertazzo’s state of mind leading up to the incident.