Charles “Chuck” Coleman, the flight instructor who trained the cast of “Top Gun: Maverick” including Tom Cruise, died Sunday when his aerobatic plane crashed during a performance at the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo, officials confirmed.
The fatal accident occurred around 2:30 p.m. when Coleman’s Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 monoplane went down while performing complex maneuvers at the Las Cruces International Airport. Video footage captured the aircraft executing a series of rolls, pitches, and yaws before appearing to lose speed during a tight turn sequence.
Witnesses reported the plane attempted to recover from its descent but struck the ground before regaining control. Emergency vehicles were immediately dispatched to the crash site.
Actor Miles Teller, who starred in the “Top Gun” sequel, paid tribute to Coleman on social media platform X: “He was instrumental in our preparation for Top Gun: Maverick,” Teller wrote. “He was an aerospace engineer, air show and test pilot, and our friend and ally… Gone too soon but his contributions will live on forever.”
Coleman, based in California, conducted more than 100 training flights preparing the film’s cast for their roles, helping actors achieve realistic portrayals of F-18 Hornet pilots. His extensive aviation career included over 10,000 flight hours, performances at hundreds of air shows, and providing more than 3,000 passenger rides.
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and fans of Chuck Coleman,” Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez said Monday.
The airport temporarily restricted operations to scheduled and emergency response flights during the initial investigation. The New Mexico State Police, Federal Aviation Administration, and National Transportation Safety Board are conducting a joint investigation into the crash.
According to Coleman’s website, he combined his engineering background with extensive experience as an aerobatic and test pilot, establishing himself as a respected figure in both the aviation and entertainment industries.
