Accident Details
During an aerial photography flight, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and struck power lines and trees. The power lines were 35 feet high, and the trees were 40 feet high. Witnesses reported hearing the aircraft engine and observed the airplane maneuvering in the vicinity of power lines, trees, and a 92-foot water tower. They noted no discrepancies with the aircraft's performance or sound.
Operator Information
The pilot, a commercial pilot, had flown his initial 10 hours of aerial photography accompanied by a company photographer who was formerly a company pilot. Company guidelines stipulated that the pilot must adjust altitude and radius according to the photographer's commands. The company operated without a flight department head, and none of the company's management personnel were pilots or mechanics. There were no written guidelines for training or pairing of pilots with photographers, nor was there a formal pilot flight training curriculum specific to the type of flying conducted.
Investigation Findings
Aircraft records revealed no anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects. Examination of the airplane found no preimpact anomalies that would have contributed to the accident. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces, and the flaps were found in the retracted position. Toxicology tests on the pilot were negative.