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A “Top Gun: Maverick” stunt pilot has settled a wrongful death lawsuit after a woman plunged to her death at his alleged “Burning Man-type” beach festival.

Tanya Hendry, 34, was on an ATV when it drove off a cliff near Harmony Headlands State Park in San Luis Obispo County, California, in December 2020.

She got stuck in the Can-Am all-terrain vehicle, while party host Jonathan Spano, the driver Maria Arayza-Alvarez and another passenger survived.

Her family said in a lawsuit that she “died a horrific and excruciating death by drowning.”


  Spano and another person pose. @Pomelle Aperitif/Instagram Spano and another person pose. @Pomelle Aperitif/Instagram

  Tanya Hendry lies on a white blanket on green grass, smiling and holding a glass of champagne. Courtesy Hendry Family Tanya Hendry lies on a white blanket on green grass, smiling and holding a glass of champagne. Courtesy Hendry Family

Spano, who flew for “Top Gun: Maverick,” hosted the party on the remote beach as his “own version of the Burning Man Festival during the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the complaint filed by Hendry’s family in 2022.

The family accused the stunt pilot of “providing substances including drugs and alcohol” to his guests before the horrific accident, the suit claims.

They also claimed that the leaser of the ATV, Khaled Azar, and Spano “encouraged, aided and abetted” the dangerous activity, despite knowing that Arayza-Alvarez had no experience driving the vehicle and was under the influence. 


  Tanya Hendry (right) with a friend. Courtesy Hendry Family Tanya Hendry (right) with a friend. Courtesy Hendry Family

Spanos has vehemently denied the accusations, insisting that it was a “simple camping trip with my four close friends and my father,” that he did not provide drugs to his guests and that Arayza-Alvarez did not appear to be intoxicated.

“This tragic accident took the life of one of my best friends. What was meant to be a simple camping trip with my four close friends and my father before Christmas became the worst night of my life,” Spanos said in a statement provided to The Post.

“That night, when our mutual friend accidentally drove the vehicle off the bluff, everything happened in an instant. It was the most traumatic experience of my life,” he continued. 


  Tanya Hendry, 34, drowned in an ATV crash after the vehicle was driven off a cliff on Dec. 21, 2020. San Luis Obispo County court records Tanya Hendry, 34, drowned in an ATV crash after the vehicle was driven off a cliff on Dec. 21, 2020. San Luis Obispo County court records

“I was sitting in the front passenger seat and after I was able to pull myself out of the submerged vehicle, I immediately tried to locate and save my friends in the darkness. I fought through the high surf, diving into the water desperately trying to find Tanya,” the stunt pilot said.

“I did everything I could and losing her has been an incredibly painful tragedy. Tanya was a beautiful soul and a truly cherished friend. My heart is with the Hendry family. Today and always.”


  Tanya Hendry seen in an undated photo. Trial Lawyers for Justice Tanya Hendry seen in an undated photo. Trial Lawyers for Justice

The Post has reached out to Azar’s lawyers for comment.

Spano was expected to go to a jury trial over the civil suit but on February 17 reached out to Henry’s family with a settlement agreement. The exact details have not been released.

The ATV driver, Arayza-Alvarez, pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the tragedy and spent several months in prison.

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Hendry worked as a bartender and an artist at the time of her death. The restaurant she worked at called her death “an unbelievable loss.”

A memorial post read: “She was always the first to start a fundraiser, give freely, or pass around a card when someone was down on their luck or had an occasion to mark. She loved her friends hard and we are so thankful that we got to call her one.”


  Tanya Hendry seen laughing in an undated photo. Trial Lawyers for Justice Tanya Hendry seen laughing in an undated photo. Trial Lawyers for Justice

In a November 2024 interview with Rotortrade, Spano said he had been in aviation for 15 years and was “obsessed” with airplanes, gliders, and helicopters. 

“My passion is for aviation and flying,” he said.He was part of the team that won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Top Gun.

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