Phantom Aeronautics X-1 accident near Van Wert, Ohio, September 4, 2019
On September 4, 2019 at about 9:35 pm local time, a 1994 Phantom Aeronautics X-1, registered N111JC, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Van Wert, Ohio (Van Wert County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the separation of the carburetor from the intake socket resulting from the improper installation of the intake silencer.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2019 · about 9:35 pm local time
- Place
- Van Wert, Ohio · Van Wert County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Phantom Aeronautics X-1, built 1994
- Registration
- N111JC · registry record · serial 94-0143
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the engine lost power during cruise flight. While troubleshooting, he noticed that the forward carburetor of the dual-carburetor-equipped engine had separated from the intake socket. He subsequently performed a forced landing to a field, during which the left wing spar was substantially damaged. A postaccident examination revealed that the forward intake socket did not conform to an exemplar socket provided by the engine manufacturer. In addition, the intake silencer was not supported except by the carburetors. Maintenance records indicated that the intake silencer was installed before the current owner purchased the airplane. A daily inspection checklist provided by the engine manufacturer included inspection of the sockets and silencer. The in-flight separation of the forward carburetor from the intake socket was likely the result of the improper intake silencer installation, which lacked support other than the forward and aft carburetor intake sockets.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute (cruise)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › Air intake › Malfunction
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Owner/builder
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 104 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 61 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 16, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,003 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 21, 2019; 26 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 720 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 479 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VNW Van Wert OH at 9:30 pm
- Destination: VNW Van Wert OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,400 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 9:35 pm from VNW, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on December 12, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Maintenance Records -- Airframe | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records -- Engine | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Installation Manual -- Excerpt | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Investigation Photos | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Rotax Daily and Pre-flight Checklist | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N111JC the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.