Selfies probably contributed to a plane crash that killed a 29-year-old pilot near Denver, Colorado, in May 2014, National Transportation Safety Board investigators said in a report released last week.
Amritpal Singh and his passenger were killed on 31 May after a two-seat Cessna 150 that Singh was flying plummeted from an altitude of about 740ft and crashed into a field in Watkins, Colorado.
“It is likely that cellphone use during the accident flight distracted the pilot and contributed to the development of spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control,” the report released on Friday said.
Investigators said the plane made two back-to-back flights, one inside a traffic pattern with a safe landing, and a second when Singh crashed.
During the first flight, when the Cessna landed safely, investigators say footage from a GoPro video camera found on scene showed Singh and his passenger taking “self-photographs” with cellphones. The second, fatal crash was not recorded by the GoPro.
During the second flight, as the Cessna reached 740ft, the aircraft made a sharp left turn and began to spin downward, possibly stalled out. The plane crashed into an open field below, killing Singh and his passenger, and destroying the Cessna.
Investigators wrote that taking selfies during the flight could have brought on spatial disorientation in the pilot. Investigators reported that Singh was appropriately credentialed to fly at night and with a passenger, and that the plane did not appear to have any mechanical problems.
