A student pilot in Argentina safely landed a training aircraft after her instructor exited the plane during a flight, according to Argentine prosecutors.
The incident occurred on July 4 during a routine training flight near Córdoba. Prosecutors said the instructor, identified as 42-year-old Leandro Andrés Bertazzo, exited the aircraft while it was in flight. He was later found dead near the town of Toledo in Córdoba province.
The 22-year-old trainee, identified only as Rosario, remained at the controls, flew the aircraft back to the airfield and landed safely before notifying emergency services. She also helped investigators identify the area where the instructor had fallen.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, with prosecutors reviewing flight records, witness statements and other evidence. No criminal charges have been announced.
Officials at the flying school said the instructor had completed another lesson earlier that day and had not displayed any behavior that raised concerns among colleagues.
The instructor’s family later told local media that he had previously sought psychiatric treatment, though colleagues said they were unaware of his personal struggles.
The incident has drawn attention within Argentina’s aviation community because the trainee successfully completed an unexpected solo landing under extraordinary circumstances.
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