DFW08LA231

NTSB accident investigation · Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar · Roanoke, TX · September 12, 2008

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
September 12, 2008, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC)
Place
Roanoke, TX
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N901LAEvektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar
Defining event
Takeoff: Loss of control on ground
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report June 11, 2009
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20080912850259A
Case key
68946

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight experience in the make and model of airplane.

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings.

Analysis

After landing for his fifth touch-and-go maneuver, the pilot applied full engine power for takeoff. As he applied engine power the airplane began to swerve towards the left side of the runway. To arrest the swerve the pilot applied right rudder pedal, which resulted in a swerve back to the right. Unable to stop this swerve the airplane exited the right side of the runway. Moments later the airplane's right main landing gear and nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest in grass alongside the runway in an upright position. The pilot reported that he had previously accumulated 2 flight hours in the accident airplane's make and model. An examination of the airplane after the accident revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane's flight controls.

Factual narrative

On September 12, 2008, about 1240 central daylight time, a single-engine Evektor-Aerotechnik SportStar, special light sport airplane, N901LA, was substantially damaged following a loss of control shortly after landing at the Northwest Regional Airport (52F), near Roanoke, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to Sanino and Associates LLC, of Denton, Texas, and operated by North Texas Flight Academy of Roanoke, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight had originating from 52F about 1215.According to the pilot, after landing for his fifth touch-and-go maneuver he applied full engine power for takeoff. As the engine power was applied the airplane began to swerve towards the left side of the runway. To arrest the swerve the pilot applied right rudder pedal which resulted in a swerve back to the right. Unable to stop this swerve the airplane exited the right side of the runway. Moment later the airplane's right main landing gear and nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest in grass alongside the runway in an upright position. The pilot and passenger were able to exit unassisted. The pilot later reported that he had previously accumulated 2 flight hours in the accident airplane's make and model. The NTSB investigator-in-charge examined the airplane upon recovery. The examination revealed that the airplane's left wing and fuselage had sustained structural damage during the accident. In addition, no anomalies were found that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane's flight controls. The weather observation station at Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW), located 7 miles southwest of the accident site reported winds to be variable at 3 knots around the time of the accident.

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident.

Aircraft

Registration
N901LA
Reported as
Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar
Category
Airplane
Serial number
20070901
Engine
Rotax 912ULS, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
North Texas Flight Academy
Registered owner
Sanino And Associates LLC
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Special light-sport (Special)
Departed
52F · Roanoke, TX
Destination
52F · Roanoke, TX
Airport
52F · Northwest Regional Airport, runway 17, 3,500 × 40 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
59
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
June 11, 2007
Seat
Left
Flight hours
189 total · 2 in this make and model · 141 as pilot in command · 12 in the last 90 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Variable at 3 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
88 °F, dew point 68 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
AFW, 7 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.