Flight instructor Charles Thomas “Chuck” Coleman died after an accident during an air show in the state of New Mexico on Sunday, according to several American media.
The 61-year-old was known to have been the film’s cast’s flight instructor Top Gun: Maverick which was released in 2022. He has notably given lessons to Tom Cruise and Miles Teller.
“He flew 140 flights to prepare actors to fly in the Navy’s F-18 Hornets,” Mr. Coleman’s website reads.
The pilot was the only person on board a small plane when it crashed to the ground during a performance for the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo in the southern United States, according to local authorities and Federal Aviation Administration.
The accident occurred around 2:30 p.m. (local time). The show ended shortly after. The location where the event was taking place, Las Cruces International Airport, closed for the day.
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and admirers of Chuck Coleman,” Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez wrote in a Facebook post Monday.
The cause of the accident is not yet known to authorities. An investigation is underway.
