Flight Instructor Jumps From Plane Mid-Lesson, Student Forced to Land Alone in Argentina

A 22-year-old flight student in Argentina was forced to land a Cessna 150 alone after her instructor, Leandro Bertazzo, unexpectedly jumped from the aircraft during a lesson. The incident occurred on Saturday in Toledo, central Argentina, and ended without physical harm to the student or damage to the plane. However, the student, Rosario, was hospitalized due to severe psychological trauma.

According to Rosario's testimony, Bertazzo told her, "You know what you need to do, keep going," before removing his headphones, unbuckling his seatbelt, opening the plane door, and jumping out. Eduardo Alvarez, director of the Flying Parrot Córdoba flight school, said the student managed to land the plane despite being in "total shock." Alvarez noted that Bertazzo had flown earlier that day with another student without incident.

Rosario already held a private pilot license and was completing additional flight hours at Coronel Olmedo Airport. Alvarez described Bertazzo as a kind man with a big smile and expressed shock at the instructor's tragic decision. He also explained that opening a plane door mid-flight is extremely difficult, comparing it to opening a car door at 200 km/h.

Bertazzo was an experienced instructor who had previously worked in Chile. Authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to his death. The report also emphasized the importance of suicide prevention and encouraged those around individuals in crisis to seek professional help, providing contact information for support organizations in Argentina.