Forget Instagram or Facebook updates, the selfie is now taking over the skies…
According to a report released by the US National Transportation Safety Board, a pilot who was regularly taking selfies and videos on previous flights was involved in a fatal crash over Denver, Colarado after playing with his phone on the job.
Although no footage was recorded on the day of the fatal flight, it is believed that losing concentration and not fulfilling the job roles was the reason behind the crash as no technical faults were recorded from the plane debris.
According to the report:
“The GoPro recordings revealed that the pilot and various passengers were taking self-photographs with their cell phones and, during the night flight, using the camera’s flash function during the takeoff roll, initial climb, and flight in the traffic pattern.
“Post-accident examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
“Based on the wreckage distribution, which was consistent with a high-speed impact, and the degraded visual reference conditions, it is likely that the pilot experienced spatial disorientation and lost control of the airplane.”
The plane crash saw pilot Amritpal Sing die in the crash, as well as a tourist passenger.
The report concluded that the pilot being distracted by his mobile phone was the most likely cause of the accident.
