Cessna 172I N8353L

Summary

On 3 November 2007 at about 20:05 local time, a Cessna 172I registered N8353L, operated by Skyvue Flying Club, was involved in an accident near Gladwin, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 November 2007 at 20:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Gladwin, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

43.9642, -84.5139

Aircraft

Cessna 172I

Registration

N8353L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Skyvue Flying Club

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gladwin → Gladwin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI08FA033

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention while attempting to photograph ground objects.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Several witnesses reported seeing the airplane maneuvering over their position at a low altitude. The airplane was observed in a left turn when it suddenly banked to the right and left before descending vertically (nose down) into a wooded area. Several individuals stated that the pilot often took aerial photographs during his flights. The pilot's logbook documented numerous flights that were undertaken for the expressed purpose of photographing objects on the ground. Local law enforcement personnel recovered a digital camera that was slung around the pilot's neck. The camera contained photographs of the immediate area surrounding the accident site. The recovered image metadata showed that 112 photos were taken during the accident flight. Examination of the recovered wreckage revealed no evidence of a pre-impact mechanical malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.