A 42-year-old flight instructor, Leandro Andrés Bertazzo, jumped to his death from a small two-seater aircraft over the province of Córdoba, Argentina, on Saturday 4 July, leaving his 22-year-old student to land the plane alone. The incident is a stark illustration of a mental health tragedy unfolding in extraordinary circumstances, and it drew attention both to the student's composure under extreme pressure and to concerns that had reportedly been known only to the instructor's family.

According to the flying school where Bertazzo worked, Flying Parrot Córdoba, he told the student, named as Rosario, "You know what you have to do, carry on," before removing his gear, opening the door of the Cessna 150G mid-flight and jumping. The school's director, Eduardo Álvarez, noted that opening a plane door in the air is extremely difficult, comparing it to opening a car door at around 124mph. Despite being in complete shock, Rosario landed the aircraft safely and without damage. Álvarez said Bertazzo had previously attended a psychiatric institute, a fact known only to his family. Prosecutors in Córdoba are investigating, and the plane is in police custody.