An Argentine flight instructor has died after jumping from a moving aircraft during a lesson, leaving his student to land the plane by herself.
Leandro Andrés Bertazzo, 42, was found dead following the incident in Toledo, central Argentina, on Saturday, according to a statement from the country's public prosecutor published on Tuesday.
Bertazzo was on board a Cessna 150 aircraft with a 22-year-old student named Rosario at the time, Argentine news outlet Todo Noticias reported.
The student said Bertazzo told her, "You know what you have to do, carry on", before taking off his headset and seatbelt, opening the door and jumping out of the plane, TN reported.
Today's headlines in 90 seconds include the US president threatening fresh strikes on Iran, wild weather making its way north and preparations underway for a state visit from the Indian Prime Minister. (Source: TVNZ)
Eduardo Álvarez, director of the Flying Parrot Córdoba flying school where Bertazzo worked, told TN there had been no signs the instructor was planning to jump from the aircraft.
"He made this tragic decision on board an aircraft with another person by his side. It's impossible to think about it or understand it, but the human mind is so complex."
Despite being in "complete shock", Rosario managed to land the plane safely, Álvarez said, and the aircraft was undamaged.
SHARE ME