# NTSB DFW08LA209: Evektor Aerotechnik Sportstar, N411EV, St Charles, MO, August 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 2008, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: St Charles, MO - Coordinates: 38.842498, -90.5 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8425&lon=-90.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA St Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68745 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68745/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68745 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA209 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain control due to his task saturation as a result of his failure to set the pitch trim to the neutral position before takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Cognitive limitation: cognitive overload](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02023015): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02023015/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02023015/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: recent experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Flight control system: elevator tab control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis After taking off, and at about 75 to 100 feet above the runway, the airplane had a sudden pitch down and the student pilot had to pull back on the control stick to maintain control of the airplane. He continued to have difficulty with pitch control as he maneuvered the airplane back to land at the airport, but was unable to simultaneously reduce engine power and maintain control of the airplane. During the landing the airplane touched down hard at a higher-than-normal airspeed with the engine still operating near full power. The student pilot lost directional control and the airplane exited the left side of the runway before nosing over in the grass. An examination of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed that the pitch trim was in the full nose-down position. No other anomaly was detected in the airframe or the engine. The pilot later said he didn’t even think about the elevator trim and it was possible that he had taken off with the elevator trim at the wrong setting. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 2008, at approximately 1500 central daylight time (CDT), a Evektor-Aerotechnik AS Sportstar, N411EV, registered to Stearns-Chatten LLC and operated by St. Charles Flying Service, Inc. as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight, was substantially damaged following a hard landing at St. Charles Airport (K3SQ), St, Charles, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and flight plan had not been filed. The special light sport airplane was substantially damaged by the impact forces. The student pilot, who was the only occupant, reported no injuries. In a statement provided by the student pilot, he reported use of the checklist and a normal takeoff. While 75 to 100 feet above the runway the airplane had a “sudden plunge” but the student pilot was able to pull back on the control stick to regain control of the airplane. A similar nose-over event occurred as he turned crosswind, but was once again able to regain control. The student pilot stated that he "sensed that (he) was in big trouble” and he “needed to get the plane back on the ground as quickly as possible”. The airplane continued to exhibit a nose-over tendency throughout the traffic pattern to runway 09. While turning to final, the student pilot realized that the power setting was too high, but he could not simultaneously maintain aircraft control and adjust the power setting, so the airplane's airspeed remained higher than normal. The airplane touched down at “high speed” and “hit the runway very hard”. The pilot lost directional control after touchdown and the airplane departed the left side of the runway, traveled through the grass and nosed over. An on-scene investigation was performed by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). No pre-existing anomalies were discovered with the airframe or the engine. However, the pitch trim was found in the full nose-down position. The pitch trim system and flight controls were examined and found to operate normally. When the FAA inspectors interviewed the student pilot and asked him to describe his cockpit checks prior to take-off he did not mention the elevator trim setting during any of the checks. Then, when asked if he had possibly left the elevator trim at the wrong setting he responded “I supposed it is… I didn’t even think about the trim tab”. The student pilot reported a total of 40 hours of experience with approximately 25 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. His most recent flight was on June 23, 2008, approximately 6 weeks prior to the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N411EV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N411EV-2024-08-03), registration cancelled 2024-08-03, S/N 20050411, built 2005 (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 SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2005-0411 - Airframe hours: 1516 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: St Charles Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Stearns Chatten LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 2008, 22 hours before - Departed: 3SQ, ST CHARLES, MO - Destination: St Charles, MO - Airport: 3SQ, St Charles, runway 09, 3,451 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 70; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 25 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KSTL, 8 nm away ## 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 20080805843109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080805843109A), Aug 5, 2008: Amtr SPORTSTAR, St Charles, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] was performing a solo operation in N411EV as a portion of his student pilot training. [privacy data omitted] Departed runway 9 at… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68745. 8.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325165&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements - from Chief Flight Instructor and from Flight Instructor (item 2, .PDF, 534 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40311537&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20-%20from%20Chief%20Flight%20Instructor%20and%20from%20Flight%20Instructor-Redacted.PDF - Maps - Google Earth view of 3SQ Airport Runway 9 (item 3, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40311538&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20-%20Google%20Earth%20view%20of%203SQ%20Airport%20Runway%209-Master.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies - FAA Inspectors' Statements (item 4, .PDF, 655 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40311540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%20-%20FAA%20Inspectors%27%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 Damage to forward fuselage (item 5, .PDF, 725 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325162&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Damage%20to%20forward%20fuselage-Master.PDF - Photo 2 Damage to forward fuselage (item 6, .PDF, 733 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325163&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20Damage%20to%20forward%20fuselage-Master.PDF - Photo 3 Pitch Trim Control in Cockpit (item 7, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325237&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20Pitch%20Trim%20Control%20in%20Cockpit-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.