McBee, SC, USA
UNREG
Phantom Aeronautics Phantom II
The pilot of the unregistered airplane took off from his private field and described that he was flying at treetop height as he began a turn to the downwind traffic pattern leg. During the turn, the airplane descended, struck trees, impacted the ground, and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. After the accident the pilot stated that he should have climbed to a higher altitude before initiating the turn and indicated that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while maneuvering in the traffic pattern.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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