Top Gun: Maverick flight instructor dies in plane crash

Charles T. “Chuck” Coleman, who worked as a flight instructor on Top Gun: Maverick, has died in a plane crash.

The aerobatic pilot was taking part in the air show, Las Cruces Air and Space Expo, on Sunday in New Mexico. He was flying a single-engine Extra Flugzeugbau 300/L when the tragedy occurred at around 2:30pm, authorities said.

A tribute was shared about Coleman by the City of Las Cruces on social media.

They remembered Coleman as ‘a well-known and respected engineer, aerobatic and test pilot with more than 10,000 hours of flight time’.

‘Coleman was also an aerobatic flight instructor for actors in the 2022 motion picture, “Top Gun: Maverick,” where he flew more than 100 flights in preparing actors to fly in Navy F-18 Hornets,’ it added. The cast included Tom Cruise, Glen Powell, and Miles Teller.

Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez said: ‘Unfortunately, we had a tragic ending to our Air and Space Expo this weekend.

‘There was an aircraft accident during Sunday’s performance that resulted in the death of pilot, Charles T. “Chuck” Coleman. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and fans of Chuck Coleman.’

Paying tribute to Coleman, Teller wrote: ‘Chuck had a very easygoing way about him and we always felt comfortable with his expertise at our disposal. … Gone too soon but his contributions will live on forever. Thanks for the memories, Chuck.’

The Las Cruces International Airport is temporarily closed and being investigated by New Mexico State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. Spectators who have photos or videos of the accident have been encouraged to share them with the National Transportation Safety Board.

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