he plane's captain was an experienced test pilot, used to regimen in order to accomplish his tasks. As a lifelong military pilot I can appreciate how the captain felt to 'get away' from the daily regimen of test flying. IMHO he got way too loose, disregarded basic safety, flight planning and even crew coordination, if the reports in Russian media can be believed.
I agree.
As a veteran documentary cameraman I can attest that even specialists and experts get distracted by the demands and pressures of a photo or video shoot.
Weapons experts, fire specialists, race drivers to name a few have put my life at risk by "over egging it"
Pilots are not immune, outside of war zones, aerial photography claims the lives of more cameramen than any other activity, with the majority of accidents involving pilot error.