ERA16LA045

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.

On November 21, 2015, about 1530 eastern standard time, an experimental light sport Phantom Aeronautics Phantom X1, N28365, impacted trees during approach to Edwards Airport (9NC3), Monroe, North Carolina. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The non-certificated pilot incurred serious injuries. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to the pilot, he had flow two times earlier in the day without any anomalies. For the accident flight, he and another pilot were flying in formation to 9NC3. As they approached the airport, the other pilot conveyed that he was going to land, and the accident pilot responded that he would "make a slow circle" and then land at the airport. He then began a turn to the right and was overflying trees when he heard the engine "hiccup." He adjusted the throttle and then stated that the engine was "choking." Next, the pilot increased back pressure on the flight control stick in order to gain altitude, "but was already too slow to maintain level flight." The airplane struck a tree, descended "straight down," and impacted the ground nose first. The pilot reported that he did not hold a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman certificate or a medical certificate. However, he had approximately 32 hours of flight experience, of which, all the flight hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane, and 18 hours were in the previous 90 days. According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 2002 and registered to the pilot/owner in 2015. The high wing, single seat, airplane was equipped with a Rotax 582 series, 65-hp engine, that was mounted above and forward of the cockpit. A review of the engine maintenance log indicated that the most recent engine inspection occurred on May 1, 2014, and at that time the engine had accumulated 165.4 total hours of time in service, and 20.8 hours since major overhaul. When asked about the loss of engine power, the pilot stated that he thought the "'old' gas he brought" that day, which might have been contaminated with water. In addition, the pilot reported in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, Form 6120.1, under the Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation section of the form that "there had been rain during that week." The airplane came to rest approximately a quarter mile to the northwest from the center of the airport. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane impacted in a right wing low, nose down attitude. The outboard section of the right wing exhibited crush damage and was bent aft. The forward section of the fuselage was impact damaged and bent to the left. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the flight controls to all flight control surfaces. In addition, the engine remained attached to the fuselage; however,all propeller blades were impact separated and located in the vicinity of the main wreckage. 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. In addition, the fuel lines remained attached to the engine, and there was fuel noted in the lines. There were no other obvious mechanical anomalies observed with the engine.