2 fatal · Arion Aircraft LLC Lightning LS-1 · 2020-04-10 · Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
Event
NTSB number
ERA20LA150
Event ID
20200410X81131
Type
Accident
Date
2020-04-10
Location
Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
Coordinates
32.884998, -79.775833
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
2
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
Arion Aircraft LLC
Model
Lightning LS-1
Registration
N81DJ
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
NITE
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees at the end of the runway due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night conditions. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring, which did not identify and prevent the descent and subsequent collision with trees.