Phantom Aeronautics PHANTOM X 1 N28365

Summary

On 21 November 2015 at about 20:30 local time, a Phantom Aeronautics PHANTOM X 1 registered N28365 was involved in an accident near Monroe, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 November 2015 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Monroe, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Edwards Airport (9NC3)

Coordinates

35.0708, -80.5664

Aircraft

Phantom Aeronautics PHANTOM X 1

Registration

N28365

Category

Airplane

Year built

2002

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Indian Trail → Monroe

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA16LA045

1 person was seriously injured.

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the noncertificated pilot of the experimental, light-sport airplane, he was flying in formation behind another airplane. As he approached the destination airport and began a turn to set the airplane up for landing, he heard the engine "hiccup," and he increased the throttle; however, the engine then "choked." The pilot increased the pitch attitude of the airplane to climb, but the airplane impacted a tree and then descended to the ground nose first. During a postaccident examination of the airplane and engine, no preimpact mechanical malfunctions were found that would have precluded normal operation. When asked about the loss of engine power, the pilot stated that he thought the "old gas" he brought that day might have been contaminated with water and that this could have contributed to the accident. The fuel tank was ruptured, leaking, and an unmeasured amount of fuel was noted in the tank. No debris was noted in the remaining fuel. The investigation could not determine the effect the fuel had on the engine performance, and the reason for the loss of power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.