# NTSB CEN12CA370: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus, N617EV, Erie, CO, June 14, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 14, 2012, 08:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Erie, CO - Coordinates: 40.010276, -105.048057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0103&lon=-105.0481&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 83977 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA370 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83977/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83977 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA370 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper performance of a soft field takeoff procedure, which resulted in a loss of airplane control, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to correct the situation. ## 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 · Student/instructed 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) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After the student pilot rotated the airplane for a simulated soft field takeoff, it began to drift to the right side of the runway and was slow to gain airspeed. He lowered the nose in an attempt to increase airspeed, but the airplane continued to drift to the right. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and pulled back on the control yoke to climb in an attempt to clear a house adjacent to the runway. The right wing clipped the roof and the airplane descended, impacted the driveway, slid across the street, and struck a stop sign. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the instructor’s accident report, the student was making a soft field takeoff on runway 33 with 15 degrees flaps deployed. As the airplane was rotated, it began to drift to the right side of the runway and was slow to gain airspeed because it was in the takeoff configuration. The student pilot lowered the nose in an attempt to increase airspeed, but the airplane continued to drift to the right. The instructor took control, felt resistance in the control yoke, and called for full control. The instructor pulled back on the control yoke to climb in an attempt and clear a house adjacent to the runway. The right wing clipped a portion of the roof, impacted the driveway, and slid across the street, striking a stop sign at a road intersection. Postaccident examination of the airplane failed to show any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N617EV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N617EV-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 2007 1001, 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: 2007 1001 - Airframe hours: 1939 - Engines: Bombardier-Rotax GMBH 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Sky Raider Aviation - Registered owner: Tag Air, Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 2012, 16 hours before - Departed: KEIK, Erie, CO - Destination: KEIK, Erie, CO - Airport: KEIK, Erie Municipal, runway 33, 4,700 × 80 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 32; injuries: minor; commercial, private, flight instructor, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review February 1, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 605 total, 56 in this make and model, 555 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; student; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KBJC ## 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 20120614009639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120614009639A), Jun 14, 2012: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR PLUS, Eri, CO, Substantial damage. Instructor [privacy data omitted] certificate number [privacy data omitted] was conducting soft field take offs with student pilot [privacy data omitted] in a… ## Other investigations on N617EV (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN08LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA031), Nov 15, 2007: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus (N617EV), Erie, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing factors were the delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor, and the ditch. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83977. 2.8 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371275&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371118&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Erie Municipal Airport (KEIK) Diagram (item 3, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371081&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Erie%20Municipal%20Airport%20(KEIK)%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - The accident site. (item 4, .PDF, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371078&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20The%20accident%20site.-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Roof of house that was struck by N617EV and scrape marks on driveway. (item 5, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371079&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Roof%20of%20house%20that%20was%20struck%20by%20N617EV%20and%20scrape%20marks%20on%20driveway.-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - N617EV and house that was struck. (item 6, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371080&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20N617EV%20and%20house%20that%20was%20struck.-Master.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.