Flight instructor jumps midflight and his student manages to land the plane

Flight instructor Leandro Bertazzo’s midflight jump and his student Rosario’s successful landing highlight a rare emergency over Argentina. Bertazzo, 22-year-old student Rosario’s instructor, removed his headset and seatbelt after telling her to keep going forward, then opened the aircraft door and jumped from about 250 meters at the Coronel Olmedo aerodrome near Toledo, Córdoba, last Saturday. The trainee reported the incident and safely landed the two-seat Cessna 150. About 20 minutes later, Bertazzo’s body was found in a rural area south of Toledo. Federal prosecutors in Córdoba are investigating and will conduct forensic examinations. Rosario holds a private pilot license but still needed more hours to finish training. The student called Flying Parrot owner Eduardo Álvarez aboard to identify the crash coordinates and alert authorities.