Flight instructor jumps from plane mid-flight, student lands safely
Consensus Summary
A flight instructor, Leandro Andrés Bertazzo, 42, jumped from a Cessna 150 mid-flight over Toledo, Argentina’s Cordoba province, leaving his 22-year-old student, Rosario, to land the plane solo. The aircraft was about 250 metres above the ground when Bertazzo removed his headset and seatbelt, opened the door, and jumped. Rosario notified air traffic control, took control, and landed safely. Authorities later found Bertazzo’s body and declared him dead at the scene. Bertazzo had worked at the Flying Parrot Cordoba flying school for four years and was reportedly going through a difficult time, seeking psychiatric treatment. Federal prosecutors are investigating the incident, with no formal complaints filed. Both sources confirm the same key details, including the height of the jump, the instructor’s age, and the student’s successful landing. Crisis support is available via Lifeline on 13 11 14.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Leandro Andrés Bertazzo, 42, was the flight instructor who jumped from the aircraft.
- The student-pilot, 22, identified only as Rosario, landed the Cessna 150 safely after the incident.
- The aircraft was approximately 250 metres above the ground when Bertazzo jumped.
- Bertazzo had worked at the Flying Parrot Cordoba flying school for four years.
- Crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Source Articles
Flight instructor jumps to his death, leaving student to land plane solo
Leandro Andrés Bertazzo told the 22-year-old student “you know what you have to do” before removing his headset and seatbelt, opening the door and leaping out over Toledo in Argentina.
Flight instructor jumps to his death, leaving student to land plane solo
Leandro Andrés Bertazzo told the 22-year-old student “you know what you have to do” before removing his headset and seatbelt, opening the door and leaping out over Toledo in Argentina.