Student Pilot Lands Plane After Instructor Jumps, Dies

A student pilot in Argentina safely landed a small aircraft alone after her flight instructor opened the cabin door and jumped from the plane during a training flight last Saturday. The instructor, 42-year-old Leandro Bertazzo, died after falling from the Cessna C150 near the rural area of Toledo in Córdoba province.

The 22-year-old student, who holds a pilot's license but had limited experience, was conducting the training flight with Bertazzo when the incident occurred. According to the flight school director, Eduardo Alvarez, the instructor told the student, "You know what to do, keep moving forward," before removing his headset, arranging his belongings, unbuckling his seatbelt, and opening the aircraft door. The student reported that she witnessed him fall from the plane.

Despite the emergency, the trainee remained calm, immediately radioed for assistance, and followed procedures to return the undamaged aircraft to Coronel Olmedo Airport, from where the flight had originated. Alvarez praised her actions, describing her response as professional and decisive. He stated she was very shaken but flew the plane to the airfield and executed a perfect landing.