Chuck Coleman, the pilot instructor for the Top Gun: Maverick cast, has been confirmed dead after crashing while in the middle of a complex aerial show in New Mexico.
The engineer and pilot who instructed the A-list cast of the movie had over 10,000 hours of flight time under his belt but sadly crashed on Sunday, October 20th.
Coleman was a professional pilot
Charles ‘Chuck’ Coleman was an expert in his field, an engineer, an aerobatic and test pilot, and a flying instructor.
He recently instructed the Top Gun: Maverick cast, including the star Tom Cruise, who is well known for doing his own stunts for the silver screen.
The accident took place in New Mexico
Officials reported that Coleman crashed while flying a two-seat Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 monoplane in New Mexico at the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo at Las Cruces International Airport.
The show was on Sunday, October 20, and the pilot died at around 2:30 p.m.
He crashed following one of his moves
During the show, Coleman was in the middle of performing a series of aerial moves, including rolls, pitches, and yaws, when one of the difficult maneuvers caused the plane to slip out of his control, according to the Sun’s report.
Coleman’s show was being filmed
A viewer was video recording Coleman’s stunts when he crashed. In the footage, it can be seen that he failed to come out of one of his aerial moves and crashed into the ground.
Coleman was the only person onboard the two-seater.
Emergency personnel rushed to the crash
Although the view of the person filming the video footage is obscured by a plane during the time of the crash, it can still be visible that emergency vehicles quickly pulled up to the site of the crash as soon as the plane struck the ground.
Coleman’s friends paid him tribute
Miles Teller, actor, trainee to Coleman, and star in Top Gun: Maverick took to X to pay tribute to the pilot.
Teller said his instructor was “instrumental in our preparation for Top Gun: Maverick.” Further, he points out how much the pilot’s friends will miss him.
The actor fondly remembered the pilot
Teller also added, “He was an aerospace engineer, air show and test pilot, and our friend and ally.”
He said, “Chuck had a very easy going way about him and we always felt comfortable with his expertise at our disposal.”
Teller further spoke about the pilot’s character
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When speaking about Chuck, Teller also said, “He was kind, humble, and curious about others and the world we live in. Gone too soon, but his contributions will live on forever. Thanks for the memories, Chuck.”
The aerospace engineer will be greatly missed.
More people offered their condolences
People commented on Teller’s post offering condolences. One said, “Sympathies to his family and friends. He was a part of some of the best flying action scenes ever witnessed.”
Another said, “I’m so sorry for your loss. May his loved ones find solace in the coming days, months, and years.”
The airport is temporarily closed
The crash is being investigated by the New Mexico State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
The airport is closed for flights other than those scheduled and those for emergency response while the crash is being investigated.
