Legendary Female Pilot Dies in Plane Crash at Age 44

In a tragic incident that has left the aviation community in shock, a 44-year-old Vietnamese-American pilot,阮安秋 (阮安秋), passed away after her small aircraft crashed in Greenwood, Indiana, on July 30, 2025. She was the first woman from Vietnam and the tenth woman globally to complete a round-the-world flight.

According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),阮安秋 was the sole occupant of the Lancair IVP aircraft, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Greenwood South Airport in Indiana. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Her death was confirmed on the spot by local authorities.

Born in a remote village in Vietnam,阮安秋's childhood dream of flying took root when she would watch aircraft pass overhead. Her passion for aviation led her to pursue higher education in the United States. After moving to the U.S. at the age of 12, she earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in aerospace engineering from Purdue University. She later obtained a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.

In 2018,阮安秋 founded the Asian Women in Aerospace Association (AWAA), an organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering the next generation of Asian female pilots, aerospace engineers, and STEM professionals. Her work with AWAA has been instrumental in promoting diversity and inclusion in the aviation and aerospace sectors.

In 2024,阮安秋 became the first Vietnamese woman—and the tenth woman globally—to complete a solo round-the-world flight, a remarkable achievement that placed her among the most accomplished female aviators in history. She had planned to embark on another global journey in 2025, this time visiting 25 countries, to further raise awareness and support for AWAA.

On the day of the crash,阮安秋 was piloting a 2005-model Lancair IV-P aircraft from Greenwood South Airport, en route to Pennsylvania. This was the second leg of her planned round-the-world flight, which she had undertaken for the first time a year earlier. Before takeoff, she live-streamed the event to her followers, expressing her excitement and thanking them for their support. She said, “I’m super excited today. Good luck to me, thanks everyone. See you in Pennsylvania, let’s keep flying together.”

The crash occurred after the plane circled the airport before descending into a gas station in Greenwood. Authorities are still investigating the cause, though no immediate signs of mechanical failure have been reported. The aviation community has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of such a trailblazing figure.

As a pioneer in aviation and a passionate advocate for women in STEM,阮安秋's legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Her contributions to the field and her unwavering dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion in aerospace will not be forgotten.