GRAHAMSVILLE, NY, USA
N54177
CESSNA 172P
THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED ON A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT WITH FULL FUEL TANKS. ABOUT ONE HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT FLEW OVER THE PASSENGERS' HOUSE TO TAKE PICTURES. WHILE A PASSENGER WAS PHOTOGRAPHING THE HOUSE, THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TOWARD THE GROUND. DURING THIS TIME, HE LOST REFERENCE OF HIS ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED AND BEGAN TO APPROACH RISING TERRAIN. HE APPLIED FULL POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB, BUT THE PLANE WAS NEAR STALLING SPEED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREE TOPS AND THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELED TO THE GROUND.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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