Charles “Chuck” Coleman, a top-flight instructor involved in “Top Gun: Maverick,” tragically perished in an airshow accident. The tragedy took place in New Mexico while Coleman performed aerobatic maneuvers. The crash is being investigated by the New Mexico State Police, FAA, and NTSB.
A Tragic Loss Over Las Cruces
Charles “Chuck” Coleman, a flight instructor known for his work on “Top Gun: Maverick,” was killed in a plane crash during an airshow held at the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo in New Mexico. Coleman, piloting a two-seat Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 monoplane, was executing aerobatic maneuvers when his aircraft tragically lost control.
Video captured at the event showed the plane attempting multiple flips before losing speed and crashing. The incident marked a tragic end to a remarkable career in both aviation and film, drawing significant attention from those who knew him personally and professionally.
RIP Chuck Coleman. Chuck was our aerobatics flight instructor and instrumental in our preparation for Top Gun: Maverick. 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… pic.twitter.com/93giSZdbgz
— Miles Teller (@Miles_Teller) October 21, 2024
Legacy in Aviation and Film
Coleman’s expertise extended far beyond the cockpit of the monoplane he piloted; he accumulated over 10,000 flight hours and performed at countless airshows. Most notably, he played an instrumental role in training “Top Gun: Maverick” actors, including Tom Cruise and Miles Teller. His efforts brought realism and authenticity to the film’s flying sequences, conducting over 100 flights for the cast’s preparation.
“He was an aerospace engineer, air show and test pilot, and our friend and ally. Chuck had a very easygoing 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.,” Miles Teller wrote in his X post.
Actor Miles Teller paid tribute to Coleman’s legacy, highlighting how his talents left an indelible mark on both the aviation and film industries. Other tributes are pouring in for a man whose contributions have garnered the respect and admiration of industry peers.
Tragic footage captures the moment that Charles Thomas "Chuck" Coleman was killed in a small plane crash during a New Mexico air show.
He was an accomplished pilot known for performing hundreds of stunts.
Coleman, the sole occupant of the plane, was performing aerobatics at… pic.twitter.com/M17QZfYGRD
— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) October 23, 2024
Ongoing Investigations
The crash’s investigation engaged multiple agencies, including the New Mexico State Police, FAA, and NTSB. The Las Cruces International Airport was temporarily closed to facilitate these proceedings. As experts scrutinize video evidence and testimonials from the event, the aviation community mourns the loss of one regarded as a generational talent.
This unfortunate tragedy serves as a reminder of the inherent risks in pioneering and teaching aerobatic flying, even for those as skilled as Charles “Chuck” Coleman.
