# NTSB ERA12CA443: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus, N182EV, Lancaster, PA, July 2, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 2, 2012, 19:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, PA
- Coordinates: 40.122222, -76.294441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1222&lon=-76.2944&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA Harrisburg FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84287
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA443
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84287/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84287
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA443

## Probable cause

The pilot's attempt to secure an open canopy during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.

## Findings

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

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot initiated a takeoff and, as the airplane became airborne, the canopy opened. The pilot attempted to close the canopy and lost control of the airplane. The airplane landed hard on the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot stated that he failed to secure the canopy before takeoff and there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.

## Factual narrative

The pilot initiated a takeoff and as the airplane became airborne, the canopy opened. The pilot attempted to close the canopy and lost control of the airplane. The airplane landed hard on the runway causing substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot stated he failed to secure the canopy before takeoff and there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N182EV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N182EV), registered now, S/N 20071002, 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 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20071002
- Airframe hours: 1617
- Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Adventure Flight Training LP
- Registered owner: Liberty Sport Aviation Lp
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 2012, 93 hours before
- Departed: LNS, Lancaster, PA
- Destination: LNS, Lancaster, PA
- Airport: LNS, Lancaster Airport, runway 31, 4,101 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 97 total, 10 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 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 20120702011759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120702011759A), Jul 2, 2012: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR PLUS, Lancaster, PA, Substantial damage. Began take-off roll on runway 31. Aircraft lifted off 4-5' in altitude and canopy opened. Pilot attempted to close canopy. Pilot lost control of the aircraft.…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84287. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1- View of structural damage to the bottom of the fuselage. Photo FAA (item 4, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-%20View%20of%20structural%20damage%20to%20the%20bottom%20of%20the%20fuselage.%20Photo%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.

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