“Top Gun: Maverick” Pilot Instructor Dies in New Mexico Air Show Crash
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A tragic accident occurred at an air show in New Mexico, resulting in the death of an experienced pilot who had trained actors for the 2022 hit movie, “Top Gun: Maverick.” Charles Thomas “Chuck” Coleman, aged 61, was flying a solo performance when his aircraft crashed during the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo on Sunday afternoon. According to officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and Las Cruces, he was the sole occupant of the single-engine Extra Flugzeugbau 300/L plane.
Tragic End to the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo
The Las Cruces Air and Space Expo featured a variety of aerial displays, including aerobatic maneuvers, helicopters, airplanes, and even spacecraft. The event took place at the Las Cruces International Airport but was prematurely ended due to the tragic incident. Following the crash, the airport was temporarily closed. Mayor Eric Enriquez of Las Cruces expressed deep sorrow in a statement on social media: “Unfortunately, we had a tragic ending to our Air and Space Expo this weekend.” He also conveyed heartfelt condolences to Chuck Coleman’s family and admirers.
Investigations into the crash’s cause are currently being conducted by the New Mexico State Police, the F.A.A., and the National Transportation Safety Board. Coleman, who was a resident of California, was widely regarded as a skilled engineer and talented test pilot. He had accumulated over 10,000 flight hours and presented countless aerobatic performances. According to his official website, he had also given over 3,000 individuals thrilling rides in aerobatic planes across numerous air shows.
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Chuck Coleman’s Influence in the Film Industry
In the film industry, Chuck Coleman was known for his role as an aerobatic flight instructor for the movie “Top Gun: Maverick.” This action-packed sequel, starring Tom Cruise as the daring Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, followed the challenges of training young combat pilots for a risky mission. The film also featured actors Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, and Val Kilmer. Coleman’s website noted his dedication, stating, “He flew 140 flights in order to prepare the actors to fly in Navy F-18 Hornets.” On Instagram, Coleman shared a picture of Miles Teller in a flight suit, highlighting their 12 training flights, totaling about 14 hours, to ready the actor for scenes in Navy jets.
“Top Gun: Maverick” continues the legacy of the original 1986 “Top Gun” movie, which was about ambitious young pilots at the Navy’s prestigious fighter weapons school, famously known as Top Gun. Beyond “Top Gun: Maverick,” Coleman’s impressive body of work in the film industry extended to contributions on other productions such as “The Round and Round” in 2002 and “First in Flight” in 2012. He also made appearances in a 2009 documentary titled “Air Racer: Chasing the Dream,” according to IMDb.com.
Watch the crash video below:
