- Date
- April 25, 2012, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place
- Lancaster, PA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N505EVEvektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Loss of control on ground
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 15, 2012
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties
- FAA/FSDO
- FAA report
- 20120425006129A
- Case key
- 83479
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff, and her delayed remedial action in aborting the takeoff after the loss of directional control.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
After the pilot applied full engine power for takeoff, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot attempted to apply right rudder, but was unsuccessful in regaining control of the airplane before it departed the runway surface. The airplane bounced several times as it continued across the grassy area adjacent to the runway and a taxiway before it came to a stop. During the accident sequence the firewall was substantially damaged. Examination of the airplane's rudder and nosewheel steering system revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The pilot taxied the airplane onto the runway and applied full power to the engine for takeoff. The airplane veered to the left, and the pilot attempted to apply right rudder, but was unsuccessful in regaining control of the airplane before it departed the runway surface. The airplane bounced several times as it crossed the grassy area adjacent to the runway and a taxiway, before the pilot cut off the engine. The airplane ultimately came to rest about 2,000 feet from the runway threshold. During the accident sequence the nose landing gear collapsed and the firewall was substantially damaged. Examination of the airplane's rudder and nosewheel steering system revealed no evidence of any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N505EV
- Reported as
- Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 20050505
- Airframe hours
- 356
- Engine
- Rotax 912ULS, 100 hp, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Sportstar 505ev LLC
- Registered owner
- Sportstar 505ev LLC
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 8, 2011 · 213 hours before
- Departed
- LNS · Lancaster, PA
- Destination
- LNS · Lancaster, PA
- Airport
- LNS · Lancaster Airport, runway 31, 4,101 × 100 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
- 69
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- April 30, 2011
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 440 total · 50 in this make and model · 254 as pilot in command · 6 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 57 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.81 inHg
- Observed at
- LNS
Docket · 7
The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2012, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 4.4 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.