A Plane May Have Fatally Crashed Because The Pilot Was Taking Selfies

A plane crash that killed two people last spring may have been caused by the pilot taking a selfie.

The two-seat Cessna-150 took off around midnight on May 31, 2014, from Adams County, CO, and crashed in an open field before being found at 7:30 the following morning, according to the Denver Post.

Amritpal Singh, 29, was flying the plane at the time. He died in the crash, along with a musician scheduled to play at a concert at Adams City High School.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board found a GoPro camera just outside the wreckage.

The camera contained videos of Singh taking selfies with passengers during previous flights.

One video showed Singh taking a selfie with a flash as the plane was making its initial ascent.

Singh did not take video during the fatal flight, but investigators believe he may have been using his cell phone shortly before the accident.

Their report reads,

It is likely that cell phone use during the accident flight distracted the pilot and contributed to the development of spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control.

Distraction was most likely the sole cause of the crash because investigators failed to find anything wrong with the plane's mechanics.

The NTSB report added,

Post-accident examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Investigators concluded that Singh probably experienced "spacial disorientation" during the crash.

The aircraft spun downward, resulting in a "high-speed impact," they said.

It also bounced one time before landing in an upright position.

Citations: Selfies likely contributed to fatal plane crash near Denver (The Denver Post)