The international aviation community and Vietnamese people worldwide are deeply mourning the sudden passing of Anh-Thu Nguyen, a pioneering pilot who made history as the first Vietnamese person to fly around the world. She died at the age of 44 in a plane crash on the morning of July 30 (U.S. time).
The Tragic Accident
According to U.S. media reports, the accident occurred when the single-engine aircraft piloted by Ms. Anh-Thu crashed in the area behind a gas station in the city of Greenwood, Indiana. Ms. Anh-Thu, a resident of Miami, was confirmed to be the sole occupant on the plane and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Prior to the incident, her social media accounts indicated she was undertaking a planned flight from Indiana to Pennsylvania. The exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have immediately launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
An Inspiring Life: From Vietnam to the World's Skies
The passing of Ms. Anh-Thu Nguyen is not only a personal tragedy but also a tremendous loss for the aviation industry, where she was known as a symbol of perseverance and courage.
Born and raised in Vietnam, Ms. Anh-Thu moved to the United States with her family at the age of 12. She demonstrated an outstanding talent for science and engineering, pursuing an impressive academic path at Purdue University, one of the top aerospace schools in the U.S. She earned her bachelor's degree in Mathematics in 2013 and went on to obtain a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering in 2015.
On her personal Facebook page, she proudly introduced herself as a ferry pilot specializing in the transport and delivery of Boeing 767 aircraft—a job that demands the highest level of skill and experience. But her ambition did not stop with her personal career. She was the founder of the non-profit organization "Asian Women in Aerospace and Aviation" (AWAA), with a mission to inspire, support, and create opportunities for Asian women who share a passion for conquering the skies.
A Renowned Historic Achievement
Anh-Thu Nguyen's name was etched into world aviation history in 2024. According to information confirmed by Purdue University, she became the 10th woman in history to successfully fly solo around the world. She was also the first Vietnamese person to achieve this feat. The flight was not just a challenge of endurance and navigational skill across multiple time zones and complex airspaces, but also a symbolic journey, affirming the spirit and standing of a Vietnamese woman on the international stage.
Her passing leaves an irreplaceable void, but the legacy of Anh-Thu Nguyen will endure. She was living proof that no dream is too big and no sky is too high. She will forever remain an inspiration for future generations of young pilots, especially women of Asian descent, to courageously pursue their passions.
