Accident Overview
An aircraft conducting a telemetry flight for Florida panthers equipped with radio collars crashed in a swamp. The flight was observed approaching from the southeast and circling three times to the right at a slow airspeed and low altitude. It then headed southeast and descended to tree-top level.
Final Maneuvers and Impact
After descending, the aircraft nosed up into a steep climb, followed by the right wing and nose dropping downward. The aircraft descended nose-first and impacted the swamp.
Investigation Findings
No evidence of pre-crash failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, or engine was found.
Pilot Background and Briefing
This was the pilot's first flight dedicated to panther tracking. The pilot had been briefed to not go below 500 feet, to monitor airspeed, and to use flaps when operating at slow speeds.