# NTSB CEN14CA413: Phantom Phantom X 1, N2552S, Three Rivers, MI, August 6, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 6, 2014, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Three Rivers, MI - Coordinates: 41.95861, -85.591941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9586&lon=-85.5919&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 89830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA413 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89830/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89830 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA413 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed while flying a visual pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Phantom PHANTOM X-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902HQ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Phantom PHANTOM X-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05902HQ), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Phantom PHANTOM X-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=05902HQ), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Phantom PHANTOM X-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05902HQ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2552S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2552S), registered now, S/N 602, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PHANTOM AIRCRAFT CO PHANTOM X 1 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Phantom PHANTOM X-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/phantom-phantom-x-1) (registry code 05902HQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 602 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 17 - Engines: ROTAX 503 DCDI 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wilkins Peter E - Registered owner: Wilkins Peter E - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 2010 - Departed: Plainwell, MI - Destination: HAI, Three Rivers, MI - Airport: HAI, Three Rivers Municipal, runway 9, 1,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 386 total, 125 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KHAI ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89830. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417238&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.