# NTSB CEN12CA281: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus, N919LA, Houston, TX, May 5, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2012, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.817499, -95.67028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8175&lon=-95.6703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: HOU FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83581 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83581/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83581 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA281 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot said that the landing flare was normal until the airplane suddenly touched down sooner than he expected. The airplane then bounced several times, landing nose first. The nose gear buckled, and the airplane slid about 75 feet to the right edge of the runway. The pilot reported that the nose gear and the firewall were both damaged. He also reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine. ## Factual narrative The sport pilot said the landing flare was normal until the airplane suddenly touched down sooner than he expected. The airplane then bounced several times, nose first. The nose gear buckled and the airplane slid about 75 feet to the right edge of the runway. The pilot reported that the nose gear and the firewall were both damaged. He also reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N919LA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N919LA), registered now, S/N 20070919, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS SPORTSTAR PLUS - Registry model: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/evektor-aerotechnik-sportstar-plus) (registry code 060004N) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20070919 - Airframe hours: 1640 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Higgins Aviation Group LLC - Registered owner: Higgins Aviation Group LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 28, 2012 - Departed: LBX, Angleton, TX - Destination: IWS, Houston, TX - Airport: IWS, West Houston, runway 15, 3,900 × 15 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 55 total, 43 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Observed at: IWS ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120505007839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120505007839A), May 5, 2012: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR PLUS, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he touched down harder than expected. This caused aircraft to bounce. Upon the third bounce the nose gear wheel forks bent 90 degrees upward into… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83581. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370272&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.