Argentine authorities are investigating the death of a flight instructor who reportedly exited a light aircraft during a training lesson, leaving his 22-year-old student to land the plane safely on her own. The incident took place on July 4 near Toledo, Argentina.
Investigation Underway After Instructor's Fatal Exit
The country's public prosecutor's office said the investigation is ongoing following the death of 42-year-old flight instructor Leandro Andrés Bertazzo. Bertazzo, who worked for Flying Parrot Córdoba flying school, was conducting a lesson in a Cessna aircraft with a student identified only as Rosario.
According to local outlet TN, the student told investigators that Bertazzo said, “You know what you have to do, carry on,” before removing his headphones, putting away his mobile phone, unfastening his seatbelt, opening the aircraft door and exiting the plane.
Student Lands Aircraft and Directs Authorities
Rosario maintained control of the aircraft and landed it safely without damage. She then contacted the authorities and directed them to the area where she had seen Bertazzo fall. Emergency responders later located his body and confirmed his death at the scene. Local reports state the aircraft was flying at approximately 850 feet when the incident occurred.
Eduardo Álvarez, director of Flying Parrot Córdoba, told TN there had been no indication Bertazzo intended to leave the aircraft during the lesson. “He made this tragic decision on board an aircraft with another person by his side,” Álvarez said. “It’s impossible to think about it or understand it, but the human mind is so complex.” He added that the student remained in “complete shock” despite successfully landing the aircraft.
Instructor's Background and Ongoing Investigation
According to Bertazzo's LinkedIn profile, he was an airline transport pilot, certified flight instructor and flight instructor at Flying Parrot. He also worked as a pilot with Aviación Chile and held FAA multiengine ATP-CTP certification and an ICAO Level 5 English proficiency rating. The public prosecutor's office said, “The Attorney General is currently focused on the investigation, in which no formal complaints have yet been filed.”
