Pilot who taught ‘Top Gun’ actors to fly killed in crash at air show
An accomplished pilot who was “instrumental” in teaching “Top Gun: Maverick” actors to fly Navy jets was killed while performing aerobatics in a small plane at a New Mexico air show over the weekend.
Charles Thomas “Chuck” Coleman was the only person on the two-seat Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 monoplane when it went down Sunday afternoon during the second annual Las Cruces Air and Space Expo, officials in New Mexico said.
The well-known California aviator was performing aerobatics when his plane crashed around 2:30 p.m., killing him, officials said.
Actor Miles Teller was among those paying tribute, sharing photos of himself with Christian on the set of the 2022 “Top Gun” remake, where taught some of the cast how to fly US Navy F-18 Hornets.
“Chuck was our aerobatics flight instructor and instrumental in our preparation for ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’” the actor wrote.
“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,” Teller wrote.
“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.”
Teller shared several photos of him and Coleman, including one of Coleman sitting behind him while flying.
Coleman was a well-known and respected engineer, aerobatic and test pilot with over 10,000 hours of flight time, local officials said.
He flew 140 flights to help the “Top Gun” actors prepare for the film, according to his website. He also provided aerial support for the documentary “Black Sky,” which won the Peabody Award.
Coleman had performed at hundreds of air shows and provided more than 3,000 rides in aerobatic aircraft, according to his website.
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and fans of Chuck Coleman,” Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez said in a statement Monday.
Sunday’s air show was called off after the crash.
The airport where the expo was being held was temporarily closed during the initial investigation, with only scheduled and emergency response flights permitted.
New Mexico State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
With Post wires.
