Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@chucktcoleman/Terre Blevins
Topics: News, US News, Film and TV
Gerrard Kaonga
Topics: News, US News, Film and TV
A flight instructor who worked on Top Gun: Maverick has died during an air show.
Charles 'Chuck' Coleman was an engineer and aerobatic and test pilot with more than 10,000 hours of flight time, but it has been confirmed he died while flying at an event over the weekend.
Coleman had recently instructed the A-list cast of Top Gun: Maverick including Tom Cruise, famously known for doing many of his own stunts.
The flight instructor died during a show in New Mexico at around 2.30pm Sunday (Oct 20) during the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo at Las Cruces International Airport, according to officials.
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Coleman was in the middle of performing difficult maneuvers when he crashed, including a mix of different rolls, pitches and yaws, according to a Sun report.
Video footage of Coleman flying showed him making a series of moves before appearing to fail to come out of one in time before striking the ground.
The person filming has their view of the crash obscured by a plane in the foreground but moments later emergency vehicles are spotted heading towards the site.
Coleman was the only person on board and was flying a two-seat Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 monoplane.
Miles Teller, who starred in the Hollywood film has taken to social media to tribute Coleman.
Writing on Twitter, Teller said the instructor was ‘instrumental in our preparation for Top Gun: Maverick.’
He commented: “He was an aerospace engineer, air show and test pilot, and our friend and ally.
"Chuck had a very easy going way about him and we always felt comfortable with his expertise at our disposal.
"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."
People on social media also offered their condolences on Teller’s post.
One person commented: “I'm so sorry for your loss. May his loved ones find solace in the coming days, months, and years.
Another added: “Sympathies to his family and friends. He was a part of some of the best flying action scenes ever witnessed.”
A third wrote: “Sincere condolences to his family, his friends, he will remain in your heart.”
The New Mexico State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have said that they are investigating the crash.
The airpot was also closed temporarily as officials tried to work out what exactly had happened, with only scheduled and emergency response flights permitted.
The Mayor of Las Cruces, Eric Enriquez has also issued a statement following Coleman’s death.
He said: "We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and fans of Chuck Coleman."