APALACHICOLA, FL, USA
N64RF
CESSNA 172
WHILE RETURNING FROM A FISH SPOTTING TRIP AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 50 FT, THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE WATER ABOUT 500 YDS FROM THE SHORE. DURING IMPACT, THE PLT'S SEAT BELT FAILED & HE WAS EJECTED FROM THE ACFT, WHICH SANK. HE STATED LATER THAT UNKNOWN TO HIM AT THE TIME, A MILITARY JET PASSED OVER THE AREA FROM EAST TO WEST, AT LOW ALT, ON A 90 DEG COURSE TO HIS FLT PATH. HOWEVER, HE ALSO STATED THAT FOR UNKNOWN REASONS TO HIM, THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE WATER IN A STRAIGHT AHEAD & SLIGHTLY LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE.
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL PERCEPTION CONCERNING ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WATER.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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