A seasoned pilot known for his daring aerobatic performances, Charles Thomas “Chuck” Coleman, tragically lost his life in a small plane crash during an air show in New Mexico, authorities reported on Monday.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo, held at Las Cruces International Airport. Coleman, the sole occupant of the two-seat Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 monoplane, was executing stunts when the plane went down about a half-mile west of the airport, city officials confirmed. Following the crash, the air show was immediately halted.
Chuck Coleman, a resident of California, was not only an accomplished pilot but also an engineer and test pilot with a career boasting over 10,000 hours of flight time. His website highlights his extensive experience, noting his performances at hundreds of air shows and his provision of more than 3,000 aerobatic rides.
In addition to his air show feats, Coleman played a significant role in the 2022 film “Top Gun: Maverick,” serving as an aerobatic flight instructor for the actors. He conducted more than 100 flights to train them for scenes involving U.S. Navy F-18 Hornets.
Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez expressed his sympathies, stating, “We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and fans of Chuck Coleman.”
Investigations into the crash are underway, led by New Mexico State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board. During the initial inquiry, the airport was temporarily closed, allowing only scheduled and emergency response flights to operate.