History of Flight
On August 14, 2019, about 0841 eastern daylight time, a Fantasy Air Allegro 2000, registration N5020X, was destroyed in an accident near Boone, North Carolina. The private pilot was fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Witness Accounts
Multiple witnesses reported hearing no engine sound. One witness, located about 1.1 nautical miles west-southwest of the accident site, observed the airplane flying in a southerly or south-southwesterly direction at an estimated altitude of 200 ft above ground level. The witness noted the propeller was rotating. The airplane flew over a ridge and out of sight; no impact sound was heard. Another witness saw the airplane flying northward; the left wing suddenly dipped and then appeared to straighten. The airplane was banking left, and the witness did not hear or see the impact.
Witnesses about 0.2 nautical mile south-southwest of the site reported hearing the airplane circle a few times, then a “boom” and smoke. One witness went to render assistance; another called 911 and directed first responders.
Pilot Statement
According to a North Carolina State Highway Patrol Master Trooper, the pilot had self-extricated from the airplane and was 300 to 400 ft down the hill from the wreckage. The trooper briefly spoke with the pilot, who reported that he was "circling to land and the engine bogged down." The pilot was transported to a hospital.
Aircraft and Engine Examination
The airplane impacted terrain in a wooded area about 320 ft north-northeast of the eastern edge of an airstrip adjacent to the pilot’s house. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector noted the airplane struck trees about 40 ft above ground level on upsloping terrain. No propeller-cut tree limbs were observed. The fuselage rested against a tree; left wing downslope, right wing upslope. Postcrash fire consumed the cockpit and inboard portions of both wings; the vertical stabilizer sustained fire damage. Flight control continuity for roll, pitch, and yaw showed no preimpact failure or malfunction. Flap position was not determined.
Engine examination by the technical advisor from the country of design and manufacture, under FAA oversight, found extensive heat damage to ignition, fuel metering, and cooling systems. No evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction was noted in engine systems not destroyed by fire. The three-bladed composite propeller exhibited impact and/or heat damage.
Medical Findings
The pilot died about 8 hours after the crash from extensive burns. The medical examiner reported cardiovascular disease: an enlarged heart (450 grams) and severe atherosclerosis (90% in left anterior descending, 75% in right coronary, 70% in left circumflex arteries). A remote microscopic stroke was noted in the brain. The pilot’s medical records indicated treatment for hypertension, hypothyroidism, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. About a month before the accident, he complained of dizziness and vision problems. Imaging about two weeks before the accident revealed a stroke causing homonymous hemianopsia (loss of vision in right visual fields).
Postaccident toxicology testing detected fentanyl, norfentanyl, lidocaine, and irbesartan in blood and urine; these were administered for pain management or as medication for high blood pressure.