Anh-Thu Nguyen, killed in plane crash, was attempting solo trip around the world
Anh-Thu Nguyen, a determined pilot with dreams of becoming the first Vietnamese woman to fly solo around the world, tragically lost her life in a plane crash in Indiana. The 44-year-old flight instructor had just taken off from the Indy South Greenwood Airport on the second leg of her global journey when her 2005 Lancair IV-P crashed behind a gas station in Greenwood.
Nguyen, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was pronounced dead at the scene. Fortunately, no one on the ground was injured in the crash. Just three days into her ambitious adventure, Nguyen was hoping to inspire future generations of Asian women to pursue careers in aviation and STEM fields.
In a heartfelt Facebook video posted moments before her fatal flight, Nguyen expressed her mission to inspire Asian female pilots and aerospace engineers. She had embarked on her circumnavigation attempt on July 27 from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and was en route to Pennsylvania when the tragic accident occurred.
Witnesses described the aircraft as eerily silent as it descended toward the ground, with no explosion or fire upon impact. Frank Williams, one of the witnesses, recounted the harrowing scene and the realization that there were no survivors.
Born in Vietnam and immigrating to the US at the age of 12, Nguyen was a highly accomplished individual. She held a bachelor’s degree in math and a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University, as well as a doctoral degree in aeronautics and astronautics engineering from Georgia Tech. At the time of her passing, Nguyen was serving as the chief flight instructor at Dragon Flight Training Academy.
In 2018, she founded the Asian Women in Aerospace and Aviation Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering female Asian pilots. The organization paid tribute to Nguyen’s legacy, describing her as an inspiring pilot, instructor, and advocate for women in the aerospace industry.
The aviation community mourns the loss of Anh-Thu Nguyen, a trailblazer who lived with boldness, curiosity, and drive. Her journey may have been cut short, but her impact on the industry and the lives she touched will endure as a beacon of hope for many.
