One of the headline stars of Top Gun: Maverick, Miles Teller, has paid tribute to one of the flight instructors who taught him the basics of flying a jet plane for the hit legacy sequel. Chuck Coleman was a pilot instructor who tragically passed away during the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo exhibition in New Mexico. Coleman was part of the crew that trained the cast of Top Gun: Maverick for the film. Following the tragedy, Teller took to X/Twitter to address the incident, writing some heartfelt words about Coleman’s contribution to the team during training for Top Gun: Maverick, the 2022 blockbuster starring Teller and Tom Cruise.
“RIP Chuck Coleman. Chuck was our aerobatics flight instructor and instrumental in our preparation for Top Gun: Maverick. 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”
Per a report by Deadline, the incident is still being investigated by authorities, as Coleman was a very experienced test pilot with a special ability for aerial acrobatics and had more than 10,000 hours of flight time. The Mayor of Las Cruces, Eric Enriquez, addressed the incident, saying:
“Unfortunately, we had a tragic ending to our Air and Space Expo this weekend. There was an aircraft accident during Sunday’s performance that resulted in the death of pilot, Charles T. ‘Chuck’ Coleman. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones and fans of Chuck Coleman.”
Charles Thomas ‘Chuck’ Coleman Sadly Passed away Last Sunday
The accident took place at the expo last Sunday during Coleman’s show of aerobatics. Spectators were shocked as they saw the plane nose-dive to the ground, but it was not until a day later that many found out it was being piloted by the experienced test pilot, who perished instantly. City officials made the following statement on Facebook:
“We are saddened to share tragic news from the 2024 Las Cruces Air and Space Expo, where a fatal accident claimed the life of pilot Charles Thomas ‘Chuck’ Coleman, who was based out of California, during Sunday’s performance.”
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With the likes of Tom Cruise and Miles Teller currently participating in other films and franchises, and co-star Glen Powell now having the best period in his career so far, details about the return of Top Gun have been scarce. The last thing we heard came from Powell, who said, “I have a date,” with regard to participating in Top Gun 3.
Currently, we know nothing about the story, cast, or even Cruise’s return as the misbehaving flight instructor Maverick. Considering Powell’s career has taken a big jump, it stands to reason that he would be given a headline role in the franchise going forward. Perhaps he could share the attention with Teller, who played Rooster, the nephew-like figure of Maverick. All we can be sure of for now is that Top Gun 3 will raise the stakes, because that’s the way Tom Cruise likes it.
Tom Cruise returns as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, and keeps pushing the envelope as a seasoned aviator for the Navy in this sequel to the original Top Gun film.
- Release Date
- May 27, 2022
- Director
- Joseph Kosinski