An aerial photographer died after his plane crashed into the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Friday.

The plane had hit a power pole, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Karl Harris, a witness out fishing on the river, told the news website AL.com that he thought the plane was flying surprisingly low.

The single-engine Cessna plane was returning to Tuscaloosa National Airport when it crashed at 10:16 a.m., according to tracking website FlightAware.

Another witness saw the crash with her husband from their camper at a park near the river’s Bankhead Lock and Dam.

“It sunk in a matter of seconds; didn’t take any time at all and it was gone. … There are power lines with the orange balls on them, and we don’t know what happened with the plane and why it hit the wires, but obviously something happened,” Cathie Schaub told Birmingham CBS affiliate WIAT.

The body of the plane’s pilot and the sole confirmed occupant was recovered from the river Friday night, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Trooper Freddie Ingram confirmed to WIAT.

The pilot was Edward Todd, 67, the owner of the aerial photography business Todd Media and Todd Flight Instruction, his sister told AL.com.

“Photography and flying were his passions, and he loved having the opportunity to pass those two on to younger generations,” Rebecca Todd Minder said.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.