### Renowned 'Top Gun' Flight Instructor Dies in Air Show Crash

In a devastating incident that unfolded during the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo, Charles Thomas "Chuck" Coleman, a well-respected test pilot and flight instructor, tragically lost his life on Sunday. Coleman, 61, was at the controls of a single-engine Extra Flugzeugbau 300/L plane when it crashed during a performance at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time, according to local officials and the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.).

The event, taking place at Las Cruces International Airport in New Mexico, was a showcase of aerobatic maneuvers, helicopters, aircraft, and space vehicles. The show was immediately halted following the tragic accident, and the airport temporarily ceased operations, as stated by the city.

Chuck Coleman was notable not only for his extensive experience—with over 10,000 flight hours and more than 3,000 aerobatic rides—but also for his role in training actors for the 2022 film "Top Gun: Maverick." In the lead-up to the movie, he conducted 140 training flights to help actors like Tom Cruise and Miles Teller prepare for their roles. On his official Instagram page, Coleman had posted about the rigorous training sessions, highlighting that Teller alone underwent 12 flights, accumulating about 14 hours of air time.

Las Cruces city officials expressed their sorrow over the incident. "Unfortunately, we had a tragic ending to our Air and Space Expo this weekend," Mayor Eric Enriquez said in a statement posted on social media. The city, home to around 111,000 residents, is working alongside New Mexico State Police, the F.A.A., and the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the cause of the crash.

Beyond his contributions to "Top Gun: Maverick," Coleman's filmography included "The Round and Round" (2002), "First in Flight" (2012), and the 2009 documentary "Air Racer: Chasing the Dream." His prolific career as an engineer, aerobatic, and test pilot had earned him widespread recognition and respect within the aviation community.

Charles Thomas Coleman's tragic death marks a significant loss not only for those who knew him personally but also for the wider field of aerobatic aviation and flight instruction.