Flight instructor jumps from plane in Argentina; student lands safely

A 42-year-old flight instructor, Leandro Bertazzo, jumped from a small Cessna C-150 aircraft mid-flight in Argentina, leaving his 22-year-old student alone in the cockpit. Bertazzo reportedly told the student, "You know what to do," before opening the aircraft door and exiting at an altitude of approximately 250 meters. The student, though shaken, successfully contacted ground personnel and managed to land the plane safely. Bertazzo's body was later discovered in a rural area near Toledo, in the province of Córdoba. According to Eduardo Alvarez, director of the Flying Parrot Córdoba aviation school, opening the door at that altitude and speed is extremely difficult due to air pressure. Bertazzo, who had a pilot's license but limited flight hours, had been undergoing training. While he had a career as a commercial pilot, he was working as an instructor. Reports indicate Bertazzo had sought psychiatric treatment but had not informed the flight school. His behavior on the day of the incident did not raise suspicion among colleagues, though he did request a ride to the airport that morning, deviating from his usual routine of driving himself. The incident is currently under investigation by the Federal Justice of Córdoba.