Pilot who trained Top Gun: Maverick cast killed in horror New Mexico plane crash

Charles "Chuck" Coleman - who had more than 10,000 hours flight time - was performing a death-defying stunt over New Mexico on Sunday when his aircraft lost speed and he plummeted to the ground

A flight instructor who died when his plane plummeted to the ground in a horror crash this week trained the cast of Top Gun Maverick.

Charles "Chuck" Coleman plunged to his death while flying a two-seat Extra Flugzeugbau EA300 monoplane on Sunday at an air show at Las Cruces International Airport in New Mexico. The stunt pilot - who trained Tom Cruise as well as other A-listers on the film - was seen performing rolls, pitches and yaws during the stunt, which are known to be difficult manoueuvres.

Footage of the tragedy shows the tiny plane darting through the skies before he appears to lose speed and start dropping to the ground over the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo. During the tight series of turns, the aircraft seems to be getting closer to the ground as Chuck tries to fly his way out of the looming collision. But tragically, he couldn't straighten up in time so smashed into the tarmac below. The plane briefly goes out of view, but within seconds, an ambulance can be seen racing towards the site of the crash.

Topgun actor Miles Teller posted a tribute to the stuntman on Twitter, saying: "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 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."

During the filming of the Top Gun sequel, Chuck piloted more than 100 flights, with the cast flying US Navy F-18 Hornets when filming the shots inside the jets. Each of them had to learn to fly for real so they seemed proficient when simulating the moves in the cockpit.

Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez said: "We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and fans of Chuck Coleman."

According to his website, Chuck worked as an engineer, aerobatic, and test pilot and lived in California. He had performed at hundreds of shows, racking up more than 10,000 hours flight time, and providing more than 3,000 aircraft rides.