Pilot jumps from aircraft during flight in Argentina; student takes command and lands safely
An aviation instructor was involved in a shocking incident when he jumped from a moving aircraft in Argentina. On board, a 22-year-old student was alone in the cabin, but managed to remain calm, contacted the control tower and made a safe landing.
The body of Leandro Bertazzo, 42, was later found in a rural region near the city of Toledo, in the province of Córdoba, confirming the dramatic jump.
Shocking details about the jump and the instructor’s conduct
Just before jumping, Bertazzo said an intriguing phrase to the student: “You know what you have to do, keep going.” The statement was revealed by the director of the aviation educational institution where the incident occurred.
The director of the Flying Parrot Córdoba school, Eduardo Alvarez, reported that Leandro Bertazzo removed his headphones, left his cell phone aside and opened the door of the small Cessna C-150 plane, a difficult action due to the air pressure, while the aircraft was approximately 250 meters above sea level, last Saturday.
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The heroism of the student in an emergency situation
The student, whose identity was not disclosed, demonstrated great resilience. Despite the emotional impact of the situation, she immediately communicated with the ground team for guidance and completed the landing without any major complications. She already had her pilot’s license, but was undergoing a training session to accumulate flying hours.
Health and behavior history before the incident
The Argentine newspaper “Clarín” reported that the pilot had sought psychiatric help before the incident, but this crucial information was not communicated to the flight school. The omission raises important questions about safety protocols and the need to report health conditions that can affect aviation performance and safety.
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According to director Alvarez, no unusual behavior from instructor Bertazzo was noticed by his colleagues on the day of the flight. The only change in his routine was requesting a ride to Coronel Olmedo airport, where he worked, going against his habit of going there with his own car, picking it up at his parents’ house.
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On the same day as the incident, before jumping from the aircraft, Bertazzo had already conducted another flight instruction session, which did not indicate any apparent change in his professional capacity.
Despite working as an instructor, Leandro Bertazzo had extensive experience in aviation, having built his career as a commercial pilot.
The case is now under investigation by the authorities of the Federal Court of Córdoba, who are seeking to clarify the circumstances that led to the instructor’s act and all its implications.
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