A student pilot safely landed a light aircraft on her own after her flight instructor allegedly jumped from the plane during a training flight in Argentina, in an incident that has stunned the country’s aviation community.
The tragedy occurred on the afternoon of July 4 near the town of Toledo in Córdoba Province, where 22-year-old trainee pilot was undergoing flight instruction aboard a Cessna C-150 with 42-year-old instructor Leandro Bertazzo.
According to investigators, the pair had taken off from Coronel Olmedo Airport for what was expected to be a routine training flight. However, the lesson took a shocking turn when Bertazzo allegedly opened the aircraft’s door and exited the plane while it was still in flight.
Authorities are now investigating the exact circumstances surrounding his death.
Student Describes Shocking Mid-Air Incident
The student pilot, who reportedly already holds a pilot’s licence but has relatively limited flying experience, told investigators that her instructor unexpectedly prepared to leave the aircraft during the flight.
Despite the traumatic situation, she remained calm, took control of the aircraft alone, and successfully returned to Coronel Olmedo Airport, where she landed safely without assistance.
After touching down, she immediately alerted airport authorities and emergency services about what had happened.
Rescue teams launched a search based on the location she indicated.
Approximately 20 minutes later, Bertazzo’s body was found in a nearby field close to where the student believed he had fallen.
Flight School Director Reveals Student’s Account
Eduardo Alvarez, director of Flying Parrot Córdoba, where Bertazzo had worked as a flight instructor for four years, described what the student told him following the incident.
According to Alvarez, Bertazzo calmly instructed the trainee before leaving the aircraft.
“At one point Leandro told her, ‘You know what to do, keep moving forward.’”
He then allegedly removed his headset, gathered his personal belongings, including his mobile phone, unfastened his seatbelt, opened the aircraft door, and exited the plane.
Alvarez explained that opening the door of a Cessna C-150 during flight requires considerable effort.
“He took his headphones off, arranged his belongings including his mobile phone, took his seatbelt off, opened the door, which is very difficult to open, and jumped out.”
He added that the student immediately transmitted a message reporting the emergency before turning the aircraft around and landing safely.
Aviation Community Left in Shock
Bertazzo had reportedly worked as a flight instructor at Flying Parrot Córdoba for four years and was well known among colleagues and students.
Alvarez described him as someone who was always cheerful and said nobody had noticed any signs that he might have been struggling.
“He was always smiling.”
“He took this tragic decision on board a plane with a person by his side.”
Reflecting on the incident, Alvarez added:
“There’s no way to think about it or understand it, but the human mind is so complex, so treacherous. That’s why what happened, happened.”
Investigation Underway
Argentine authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, review flight communications, interview witnesses and analyse Bertazzo’s recent activities to determine what led to the tragedy.
The student pilot was physically unharmed after safely landing the aircraft, although the incident is expected to form a central part of the ongoing investigation.
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