The airplane was substantially damaged when it crashed into Old Tampa Bay at about 1538 Eastern time. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. A witness reported seeing the airplane flying at an estimated altitude of 100 feet, then saw the airplane in an estimated 90-degree right bank. The airplane then rolled into a 45-degree left bank, followed by rolling wings-level. The airplane was then observed in a 10-15 degree nose-up attitude. The airplane then stalled and descended in a nose- and left-wing-low attitude.
January 12, 2008, Clearwater, Fla., Cessna 172L
The airplane was substantially damaged when it crashed into Old Tampa Bay at about 1538 Eastern time. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. A witness reported seeing the airplane flying at an estimated altitude of 100 feet, then saw the airplane in an estimated 90-degree right bank. The airplane then rolled into a 45-degree left bank, followed by rolling wings-level. The airplane was then observed in a 10-15 degree nose-up attitude. The airplane then stalled and descended in a nose- and left-wing-low attitude.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane crashed into Old Tampa Bay, resulting in substantial damage and the fatal injuries of the private pilot and two passengers.
- A witness observed the airplane flying at a low altitude before performing a series of banks (right, then left, then wings-level).
- The aircraft was then seen in a nose-up attitude, subsequently stalled, and descended nose- and left-wing-low.
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