Phantom PHANTOM X 1 N2552S

Summary

On 6 August 2014 at about 23:30 local time, a Phantom PHANTOM X 1 registered N2552S, operated by Wilkins Peter E, was involved in an accident near Three Rivers, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 August 2014 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Three Rivers, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Three Rivers Municipal (HAI)

Coordinates

41.9586, -85.5919

Aircraft

Phantom PHANTOM X 1

Registration

N2552S

Category

Airplane

Year built

1984

Engines

1

Operator

Wilkins Peter E

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Plainwell → Three Rivers

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14CA413

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed while flying a visual pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot flew a visual traffic pattern to a grass runway utilized by a combination of light sport aircraft, powered parachutes, and radio controlled aircraft. While on downwind at 400 feet above ground level, the pilot noticed three ground vehicles parked in a lot often used by pilots when they flew radio controlled aircraft. As he searched for possible radio controlled aircraft, the pilot became distracted and allowed his airspeed to decrease, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. The pilot was unable to regain control and the airplane subsequently impacted a line of trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.