 Swearing vengeance, the Phantom Eagle's spirit haunted and hunted von Reitberger through the years until, after a chance, modern-day encounter with the original Ghost Rider, he battled the aged German in aerial combat.With von Reitberger's death, Kaufman's vengeful spirit was allowed to pass on.Sometime later, the ghost of the Phantom Eagle's plane assisted Doctor Strange and the Punisher.