# NTSB CEN12CA600: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar, N904LA, Columbus, OH, August 26, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 26, 2012, 00:15 local (04:15 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, OH
- Coordinates: 39.991943, -82.88861 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9919&lon=-82.8886&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA600
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84917/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84917
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA600

## Probable cause

The failure of the right main landing gear strut due to a preexisting crack.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: main gear strut/axle/truck](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-to runway: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337) (defining event); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While taxiing the rental airplane for departure, the pilot felt the right brake fail, which initiated a left turn. The pilot attempted to correct the turn by applying the right rudder pedal, but the airplane veered onto the grass, pivoted 180 degrees back onto the taxiway surface, and came to rest. Examination of the airplane showed that a portion of the right main landing gear strut had separated, and the right wing was buckled. The strut fracture surface showed discoloration consistent with a preexisting crack. The airplane’s most recent 100-hour inspection was completed 5 days before the accident.

## Factual narrative

While taxiing the rental airplane for departure, the pilot felt the right brake fail which initiated a left turn. The pilot attempted to correct the turn by applying right rudder pedal, but the airplane veered off onto the grass. The airplane then pivoted 180 degrees, came back onto the taxiway surface and came to rest. Examination of the airplane showed a portion of the right main landing gear composite strut had separated, and the right wing was buckled. The composite fracture surface showed discoloration consistent with a previous crack to that area of the strut. The airplane underwent a 100-hour inspection on August 21, 2012.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N904LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N904LA-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 20070904, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS SPORTSTAR
- Registry model: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/evektor-aerotechnik-sportstar) (registry code 0600012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20070904
- Airframe hours: 736
- Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 21, 2012
- Departed: CMH, Columbus, OH
- Destination: O74, Mount Victory, OH
- Airport: CMH, Port Columbus Intl Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,636 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20120826023839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120826023839A), Aug 26, 2012: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot was taxiing the aircraft on taxiway bravo at the cmh airport, when the right hand brake failed, causing him to lose directional control. The aircraft…

## Other investigations on N904LA (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 GAA16CA529](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA529), Sep 2, 2016: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar (N904LA), Delaware, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s inadequate compensation for the quartering tailwind on landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84917. 744 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 692 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-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.

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