# NTSB ERA23LA076: Phantom Aeronautics X1, N5205A, Trinity, NC, November 27, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 27, 2022, 14:30, time zone not recorded
- Place: Trinity, NC
- Coordinates: 35.892521, -79.889122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8925&lon=-79.8891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106402
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106402/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106402
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA076

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during initial climb in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a collision with power lines and trees.

## 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: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The noncertificated pilot described that on the day of the accident flight, he thought that the winds were gusting to about 30 knots. Shortly after takeoff from the private airstrip he reported that he lost control of the airplane after encountering a gust of wind. The airplane subsequently contacted power lines and came to rest in trees, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5205A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Phantom Aeronautics X1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 073 846
- Year built: 1984
- Engines: Rotax 503 DCDI 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Airport: PVT, Private
- Equipment: Airframe parachute

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 300 total, 300 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 14 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.62 inHg
- Turbulence: Moderate
- Observed at: HBI, 14 nm away
- METAR: KHBI 271955Z AUTO 21014G28KT 10SM BKN028 BKN035 BKN044 21/17 A2962 RMK AO2 T02120166

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20221127019509I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221127019509I), Nov 27, 2022: Phantom Aeronautics X1, Archdale, NC, Destroyed. Pilot was to fly above baby gender reveal party. Pilot took off of private runway, turned toward party, got involved in gusty winds and struck powerline above…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106402. 5.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15089015&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15114357&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR-DavidHohn_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15088389&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.