# NTSB ERA10CA413: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus, N927LA, Lancaster, PA, August 9, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 9, 2010, 17:55 local (21:55 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, PA - Coordinates: 40.121665, -76.296112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1217&lon=-76.2961&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76917 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA413 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76917/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76917 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA413 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 PLUS, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the student pilot, he began the takeoff roll for his solo flight on runway 26, a 6,934-foot-long, 150-foot-wide, asphalt runway. When the airspeed reached about 40 knots, the airplane “got out of control” and veered to the left because the student pilot “overcompensated” with rudder. He attempted to regain control of the airplane by reducing engine power; however, the airplane lifted off the runway. The pilot then added full power; however, the airplane began to descend, and he realized that it would not clear a corn field located to the left of the runway. The pilot then elected to reduce engine power again. The airplane touched down in a field and struck a bale of hay, substantially damaging the left wing and fuselage. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. He noted that his total flight experience was 19 hours, all of which were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 200 degrees at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot, he began his takeoff roll on runway 26, a 6,934-foot-long, 150-foot-wide, asphalt runway. When the airspeed reached about 40 knots, the airplane “got out of control” and veered to the left because the student pilot “overcompensated” with rudder. He attempted to regain control of the airplane by reducing engine power; however, the airplane lifted off the runway. The pilot then added full power; however, the airplane began to descend, and he realized that it would not clear a corn field located to the left of the runway. The pilot then elected to reduce engine power again. The airplane touched down in a field and struck a bale of hay, substantially damaging the left wing and fuselage. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. He noted that his total flight experience was 19 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 200 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N927LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N927LA-2012-03-07), registration cancelled 2012-03-07, S/N 20070927, 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: 20070927 - Airframe hours: 949 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Liberty Sport Aviation Lp - Registered owner: Liberty Sport Aviation Lp - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 2010, 67 hours before - Departed: LNS, Lancaster, PA - Destination: LNS, Lancaster, PA - Airport: LNS, Lancaster Airport, runway 26, 6,934 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: LNS ## 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 20100809043259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100809043259A), Aug 9, 2010: Evektor-Aer SPORTSTAR P, Lititz, PA, Substantial damage. T/o on rnwy 26, @lns. Loss of directional control. Aircraft veered left, exited runway, crossed grass strip between runway and taxiway. Crossed taxiway into… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76917. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 620 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335706&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335707&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Weather Records: LNS METARs (item 3, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Records%3A%20LNS%20METARs-Master.PDF - Photograph #1 - Damage to Left Wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 934 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%20-%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.