Phantom Aeronautics PHANTOM II UNREG

Summary

On 4 April 2021 at about 20:30 local time, a Phantom Aeronautics PHANTOM II registered UNREG was involved in an accident near McBee, South Carolina, 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

4 April 2021 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

McBee, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

34.4033, -80.2685

Aircraft

Phantom Aeronautics PHANTOM II

Registration

UNREG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA21LA172

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while maneuvering in the traffic pattern.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the unregistered airplane took off from his private field and described that he was flying at treetop height as he began a turn to the downwind traffic pattern leg. During the turn, the airplane descended, struck trees, impacted the ground, and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. After the accident the pilot stated that he should have climbed to a higher altitude before initiating the turn and indicated that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.