A pilot and passenger desperately tried to hold on to a British teen for several minutes before she jumped from a plane and plunged up to 3,700ft to her death, say police.
Alana Cutland, 19, fell from a Cessna light aircraft that had picked her up from a remote lodge in Madagascar, where she was studying crabs as part of her natural science degree.
The Cambridge University student opened the plane's door and jumped out minutes later after the pilot and British tourist Ruth Johnson both became "exhausted" and lost their grip in their bid to stop her, according to police.
Police have released a photo of a recreation of what they claim were her final moments inside the plane.
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Search teams and villagers have been looking for Alana's body, and it is feared it may never be found.
The tragic incident happened 15 minutes after the plane took off from the remote Analalava region in northern Madagascar - an Indian Ocean island off Africa's east coast - on July 25.
Alana, from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, is understood to have fought off Ms Johnson before plunging into the savanna below, the Sun reported.
The pilot grabbed onto Alana's leg and manoeuvred the plane from side to side in a desperate bid to prevent her from flinging herself from the tiny propeller aircraft.
Both eventually lost their grip after becoming "exhausted" in the life and death struggle.
They were the only three people on board.
Local police chief Sinola Nomenjahary said: “The Cessna C168 aircraft was taking off from Anjajavy with three people aboard, including Ms Johnson, Alana and the pilot.
“After 10 minutes of flight, Alana undid her seatbelt and unlocked the right door of the plane and tried to get out.
“Ms Johnson fought for five minutes trying to hold her, but when she was exhausted and out of breath she let go."
Mr Nomenjahary added that they read through her documents and she may have been suffering from stress or mental health issues related to her studies.
He added that police were working under the assumption that it was an "intentional fall" and said that they are working with British authorities to establish the exact circumstances surrounding her death.
He said the student may have landed in an area populated by wild cat-like fossas.
Alana was travelling home to the UK after recent conversations with her parents raised concerns, Midi Madagasikara reported.
The fellow Brit passenger - a 51-year-old woman - had agreed to accompany her, and they were on their way to Ivato International Airport, the report added.
Alana's family have paid tribute to the "talented" second-year Natural Science student, who was in Madagascar on an internship.
In a statement released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, they said: “Our daughter Alana was a bright, independent young woman, who was loved and admired by all those that knew her.
“She was always so kind and supportive to her family and friends, which resulted in her having a very special connection with a wide network of people from all walks of her life, who we know will miss her dearly.
“Alana grasped every opportunity that was offered to her with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure, always seeking to extend her knowledge and experience in the best ways possible.
“She was particularly excited to be embarking on the next stage of her education, on an internship in Madagascar complimenting her studies in Natural Sciences.
“Alana was also a talented dancer and embraced the more creative side of her talents with joy and commitment.
“Her thirst for discovering more of the world always ensured she made the most of every second of her action-packed young life.
“We are heartbroken at the loss of our wonderful, beautiful daughter, who lit up every room she walked in to, and made people smile just by being there."
Alana was involved in the yoga and mindfulness society at the college, according to its website.
She was also the vice-president of the dance society Cutazz.
