Photo flight goes horribly wrong

This November 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

Aircraft: Cessna 172. Location: Gladwin, Mich. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.

What reportedly happened: Several friends of the pilot, who had logged 190.9 hours, said he often took aerial photographs during his flights. His logbook documented numerous flights that were undertaken for the express purpose of photographing objects on the ground. Several witnesses on the ground saw the airplane maneuvering at a low altitude. The airplane was in a left turn when it suddenly banked to the right, then left, then plunged nose down into a wooded area.

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