VIDEO: Apollo 8 Astronaut Dies in Light Aircraft Crash

The Apollo 8 astronaut has tragically died in a light aircraft crash. American astronaut William Anders, who orbited the Moon with the Apollo 8 spacecraft and captured one of the most famous photographs in space, has lost his life in a light aircraft accident. According to official reports, his plane crashed into the water north of Seattle in Washington state.

In video footage, which presumably captured the crash, the pilot appears to be attempting to avoid a collision in the last moment before the plane hits the water, erupts in flames, and breaks apart. The astronaut was 90 years old.

Notably, the famous photograph taken in space was captured on Christmas Eve. It depicts the Earth rising above the barren lunar landscape. Later, Anders described the image as his most significant contribution to the space program.