Pilot Debrief

PHANTOM AERONAUTICS PHANTOM X 1 near Monroe, NC — 2015-11-21

Final reportERA16LA045
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Date
2015-11-21
Location
Monroe, NC, USA
Airport
9NC3
Aircraft
PHANTOM AERONAUTICS PHANTOM X 1
Registration
N28365
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

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.

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.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land earlier instead of circling.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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