Student pilot forced to land plane alone after instructor ‘jumped to his de@th mid-flight’

A 22-year-old student pilot has recounted the terrifying moment she was forced to land a training aircraft alone after her instructor reportedly jumped from the cockpit during a flight in Argentina. The incident occurred on July 4 while the student was undergoing flight training with 42-year-old instructor Leandro Bertazzo aboard a Cessna C-150 near Toledo in Córdoba Province.

According to the student’s account, Bertazzo removed his headset, set aside his phone, unfastened his seatbelt and opened the aircraft door before jumping from the plane. She initially believed he had deployed a parachute but later realised he had not.

Despite the ordeal and her limited flying experience, the trainee remained calm, radioed for assistance and successfully landed the aircraft unassisted at Coronel Olmedo Airport, a facility commonly used for pilot training.

Bertazzo’s body was later discovered in a nearby field, and emergency responders confirmed he had died at the scene. Eduardo Alvarez, director of Flying Parrot Córdoba, where Bertazzo worked as an instructor, said the student handled the emergency with remarkable composure.

He said she informed the school that her instructor had removed his headset, arranged his belongings, unbuckled his seatbelt, opened the cabin door and jumped before she safely returned the aircraft to the runway. Alvarez described the trainee as clear-headed, decisive and professional, adding that she executed a perfect landing despite being visibly shaken by the incident.

According to reports, Bertazzo told the student, “You know what to do, keep moving forward,” shortly before leaving the cockpit. Colleagues described Bertazzo as cheerful and professional, saying they had noticed no signs of distress before the flight. He had worked at the flight school for four years after training there and had previously flown commercially in Chile.

Reports also indicated that Bertazzo had undergone psychiatric treatment, although this was said to have been known only to close family members. The flight school said he had passed the routine physical and mental health assessments required for pilots.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Investigators are examining witness accounts, the aircraft, flight school records and communications from the flight, while also considering whether any mechanical issues may have contributed to the unusual circumstances. The student was not injured, and the aircraft landed without sustaining any damage.