That is actually a reasonable explination. Not saying its what happened mind you (sorry KoW, don't know you, haven't flown with you), but that it COULD have happened.
I've seen some wierd stuff before, its also possible (but highly improbable) that there really was some idiot that kept upping. Personally, I do that if theres no bases within a reasonable distance (as happens on some of the island maps) becuase I can sometimes get up into the air.