Mexico pilot dies after crashing plane during gender reveal party
A pilot in Mexico crashed while flying a plane for a gender reveal party, leading to his death.
CNN International, based on a viral video on X (Twitter), reported the plane released pink smoke as it flew over a couple in front of an "OH BABY" sign surrounded by pink and blue balloons.
The video showed the plane's left wing seemingly separating from the body as it flew away from a group of people below. The people appear to be clueless as they cheer and celebrate.
Pilot killed after his Piper PA-25 left wing failed at a gender reveal party in the town of San Pedro, Mexico. pic.twitter.com/6JILK7fsGm
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) September 3, 2023
Authorities told sister network CNN en Español that the pilot died in the hospital following the crash.
The pilot, a 32-year-old man named Luis Angel N., was treated at the crash site and was taken to the local hospital.
The cause of the crash isn't clear, and no other injuries were reported.
A gender reveal party is held during pregnancy to determine whether the baby is a boy or a girl. The practice stereotypically uses blue for boys and pink for girls and is deemed controversial for using elaborate, dangerous special effects.
In September 2021, a couple used a “smoke-generating pyrotechnic device” that ignited a wildfire in El Dorado Ranch Park, Los Angeles over Labor Day weekend and led to the death of a firefighter.
Then in October 2022, a couple in Brazil was criticized for allegedly polluting a 60-foot waterfall with blue dye on its crystal waters.