# NTSB ERA15CA122: Evolution Revo, N40EV, Bushnell, FL, January 31, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 31, 2015, 10:42 local (15:42 UTC) - Place: Bushnell, FL - Coordinates: 28.68361, -82.157501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6836&lon=-82.1575&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90695 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90695/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90695 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA122 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during approach in variable wind, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evolution REVO, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060009B), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Evolution REVO, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=060009B), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Evolution REVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=060009B), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Evolution REVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=060009B), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Evolution REVO, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060009B), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the special light sport weight shift aircraft stated that he was attempting to land at a private airstrip for a breakfast fly-in. The pilot had to perform two go-arounds due to other traffic in the airport traffic pattern. During the third attempt, while on final approach to runway 9, the pilot extended his glidepath due to another aircraft back-taxiing on the 3,415-foot-long turf runway. The pilot intended to land further down the runway; however, the airspeed decreased when he extended the glidepath. There was also a wind shift when the aircraft was about 15 feet above the runway, which caused it to stall and impact the runway. The aircraft subsequently came to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that the wind was variable at 9 knots, gusting to 12 knots. The recorded wind information at an airport located about 17 miles from the accident site was similar, indicating variable wind from 020 to 090 degrees at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the special light sport weight shift aircraft stated that he was attempting to land at a private airstrip for a breakfast fly-in. The pilot had to perform two go-arounds due to other traffic in the airport traffic pattern. During the third attempt, while on final approach to runway 9, the pilot extended his glidepath due to another aircraft back-taxiing on the 3,415-foot-long turf runway. The pilot intended to land further down the runway; however, the airspeed decreased when he extended the glidepath. There was also a wind shift when the aircraft was about 15 feet above the runway, which caused it to stall and impact the runway. The aircraft subsequently came to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The pilot added that the wind was variable at 9 knots, gusting to 12 knots. The recorded wind information at an airport located about 17 miles from the accident site was similar, indicating variable wind from 020 to 090 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40EV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40EV), registered now, S/N 1013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EVOLUTION AIRCRAFT INC REVO - Registry model: [Evolution REVO](https://openairdocs.org/model/evolution-revo) (registry code 060009B) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: 1013 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 40 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Allen Gadoury - Registered owner: Evolution Aircraft Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: ZPH, Zephyrhills, FL - Destination: 9FL1, Bushnell, FL - Airport: 9FL1, Flying W Airranch, runway 09, 3,415 × 100 ft - Equipment: Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, sport pilot; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,200 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: LEE, 17 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 20150131000879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150131000879A), Jan 31, 2015: Evolution Aircraft Inc REVO, Bushnell, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft departed from zephyrhills enroute to Flying w air ranch (9FL1). Upon arrival, the PIC made numerous attempts to enter the pattern and circled… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 18, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90695. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of SCSO) (item 4, .PDF, 499 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426482&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20SCSO)-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.