Argentine Flight Instructor Jumps from Plane Mid-Flight, Student Lands Safely

A flight instructor leapt from a moving aircraft mid-lesson, leaving his 22-year-old student alone to land the plane.

A flight instructor told his student 'you know what you have to do,' then removed his headset and seatbelt, opened the aircraft door, and jumped — leaving the 22-year-old alone at the controls. The instructor, identified as Leandro Andrés Bertazzo, died from the fall. The student was left to land the aircraft without assistance. The incident took place during what was, until that moment, a training flight.

Why it matters

The incident raises serious questions about aviation safety protocols and the mental health screening of flight instructors. A student pilot was placed in an acutely dangerous situation through no fault of their own.

What's next

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances of Bertazzo's death and how the situation aboard the aircraft unfolded.

Key facts

• The instructor, Leandro Andrés Bertazzo, jumped from the aircraft mid-flight and died
• The student left alone at the controls was 22 years old
• Before jumping, Bertazzo told the student 'you know what you have to do'
• Bertazzo removed his headset and seatbelt before opening the door and leaping out
• The student successfully landed the plane after the instructor jumped

Bias & framing notes

All three sources — Brisbane Times, Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age — used identical headlines and reported identical details, suggesting they are drawing from a single shared wire report or agency copy. No independent corroboration or additional detail was present across the sources, limiting confidence in the depth of the reporting.