The aviation community and her many online followers are mourning the loss of Anh-Thu Nguyen, a 44-year-old Vietnamese-American pilot and vlogger who tragically died in a plane crash in Greenwood, Indiana. Anh-Thu Nguyen, widely admired for her trailblazing accomplishments in aviation and her passionate advocacy for women in the field, was attempting to recreate her successful 2024 solo flight around the world when the incident occurred.
A skilled aviator with a strong presence on social media, she inspired thousands with her journey of courage, perseverance, and vision. Her sudden passing has left an emotional void for those who followed her story and looked to her as a symbol of empowerment.
Born in Vietnam and raised in the United States from the age of 12, Anh-Thu’s journey to the skies was anything but conventional. Her life was a series of personal and professional milestones, marked by determination to rise above challenges. In 2024, she made history by becoming the 10th woman in the world to complete a solo flight around the globe, a feat that catapulted her into the spotlight.
Her aim was not just to fly, but to document and share her experiences in hopes of inspiring the next generation—particularly young women and girls—to dream beyond their limitations. This second journey, tragically cut short, was meant to reinforce that very message.
Anh-Thu Nguyen’s final moments were documented in a short video she recorded shortly after completing the first leg of her recreated trip. In the video, she appeared joyful and optimistic, expressing excitement about what lay ahead. Her words were filled with hope: “Hi, everyone. I’m super excited today; I just completed the first leg of my solo flight around the world.”
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This clip would become her last public message, as her single-engine aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Greenwood, Indiana, en route to Pennsylvania. Witnesses near the crash site recalled seeing the plane bank awkwardly before spiraling down to the ground near a gas station, where it caught fire. Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene, but there were no survivors.
A Trailblazing Journey: From Vietnam to the Skies
Anh-Thu Nguyen’s path to becoming a globe-trotting pilot was a testament to her resilience. Born in Vietnam and transplanted to the U.S. at a young age, she encountered the dual challenge of adapting to a new culture while striving for excellence in a field where few looked like her.
She often spoke about the struggles she faced growing up—navigating a new language, adjusting to a foreign environment, and overcoming societal expectations. But those hardships fueled her ambitions. As she once told her alma mater, Purdue University, “As an Asian woman, I faced many obstacles and challenges to get to where I am today… I wanted to give back and inspire the next generation.”
This sense of purpose guided her every move. From becoming a certified flight instructor to establishing her own aviation training academy, Anh-Thu Nguyen carved a path few dared to walk. Together with her husband, she co-founded the Dragon Flight Training Academy in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where she trained aspiring pilots with the same tenacity she carried into the cockpit.
Oh no a local South Florida woman attempting to fly solo around the world killed in a crash in Greenwood, Indiana. May she RIP pic.twitter.com/NWmAtLP3Hx
— PhotographicFloridian (@JackLinFLL) July 31, 2025
Her presence in the aviation field was not just about flying planes—it was about breaking barriers, mentoring women, and cultivating a culture of inclusion. She also founded the nonprofit Asian Women in Aerospace and Aviation, through which she advocated for representation and support for women of color in aerospace fields. Her achievements in 2024 were particularly historic. Completing a solo flight around the world placed her among a select group of aviators and cemented her status as a pioneer.
But instead of resting on that accomplishment, Anh-Thu Nguyen set out to do it again—this time with an even stronger emphasis on storytelling and inspiration. Her vlogs captured not just technical aspects of flying but also moments of introspection, humor, and passion. Through her lens, viewers got to see the skies not just as a backdrop, but as a space where dreams could take flight.
The Final Flight: Tragedy in Greenwood, Indiana
Tragedy struck just as Anh-Thu Nguyen’s second world journey was beginning. Having completed the first leg from Wisconsin to Indiana, she was preparing to fly eastward to Pennsylvania when her aircraft, shortly after taking off from Greenwood, crashed near a Circle K gas station. Eyewitnesses described the aircraft behaving erratically in the air before nose-diving into the ground. “I pulled right up to the site, jumped out of the truck. I could smell fuel and it was smoking,” said Frank Williams, a witness who tried to help at the scene. “As I got close to the place I could tell there was no survivor.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are now investigating the crash, focusing on what might have gone wrong in those crucial moments after takeoff. Whether it was mechanical failure, human error, or another cause is still unknown. What remains undeniable is that the world has lost a bright and determined soul—a woman who defied conventions and soared higher than most ever dare.
Friends, fellow pilots, and fans from across the world paid tribute to Anh-Thu Nguyen in the hours following news of her death. Glenn Stout, a close friend and fellow pilot, posted, “She was so full of life and so excited about being only the ninth woman to solo around the world. Too young to be gone so soon.” Others echoed this sentiment, remembering her as a fierce advocate, passionate flyer, and a woman who turned obstacles into opportunities.
The nonprofit she founded issued a heartfelt statement: “Anh-Thu was an inspiring pilot, instructor, and advocate for girls and women in aerospace and aviation. She lived with boldness, curiosity, and drive. She came from humble beginnings to becoming a beacon of hope to many.” They have pledged to carry forward her vision by continuing to fund programs that support young women entering aerospace fields.
A Lasting Legacy: Inspiration That Will Keep Flying Forward
Even in her final moments, Anh-Thu Nguyen was thinking of others. Her parting message to her audience in her last video said it all: “Wish me luck. Thank you, and let’s keep flying forward together.” These words now echo as both a farewell and a call to action. Her life may have ended abruptly, but the mission she carried continues—through her nonprofit, her students, and the countless people she motivated across the world.
Anh-Thu Nguyen’s story is one of transformation. She was a child who emigrated from a war-torn nation and became a leader in a highly competitive, male-dominated industry. She was a woman who could navigate jetstreams and jet lag while also lifting others with her words and deeds. She was a pilot who didn’t just want to travel the world—she wanted to connect it, person by person, story by story.
Her journey resonates far beyond the runway. For women, especially those from minority backgrounds, Anh-Thu Nguyen represented the power of visibility. For immigrants, she exemplified what’s possible with courage and dedication. For pilots, she embodied the art and discipline of aviation. And for the broader public, she served as a gentle reminder that the sky is not the limit, but the beginning.
As tributes continue to pour in, those who loved and admired her are left not only with grief but also with a renewed sense of purpose. Her death is a painful reminder of how fragile life can be, especially in the skies, but also how powerful a life can become when it’s lived with intent. Anh-Thu Nguyen dared to dream, and more importantly, she dared to act on those dreams—even if it meant flying into the unknown.
In time, investigators may determine what led to the crash. But for now, the world remembers Anh-Thu Nguyen not for how her journey ended, but for everything she gave us while she was here: her courage, her brilliance, and her unwavering belief that every girl deserves the chance to fly.