Phantom Aeronautics X1 accident near Trinity, North Carolina, November 27, 2022
On November 27, 2022 at about 2:30 pm local time, a 1984 Phantom Aeronautics X1, registered N5205A, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Trinity, North Carolina (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 27, 2022 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Trinity, North Carolina · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Phantom Aeronautics X1, built 1984
- Registration
- N5205A · no longer on the register · serial 073 846
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 300 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 250 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 DCDI (piston); 850 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 14 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,800 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.62 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from HBI, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHBI 271955Z AUTO 21014G28KT 10SM BKN028 BKN035 BKN044 21/17 A2962 RMK AO2 T02120166
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on June 7, 2023. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 4 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 N5205A 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.