# NTSB ERA20LA234: Evektor Aerotechnik Sportstar, N820NG, Ocala, FL, July 1, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 1, 2020, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Ocala, FL · Adjacent to runway - Coordinates: 29.09338, -82.03121 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0934&lon=-82.0312&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Medical event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101517 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101517/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101517 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA234 ## Probable cause The pilot’s impairment or distraction due to an acute stroke, which resulted in an unstabilized approach and subsequent loss of airplane control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Impairment/incapacitation: cardiovascular](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012050): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012050/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012050/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Medical event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850) (defining event); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The 78-year-old pilot was landing following a cross-country flight. Witnesses’ accounts indicated that the final approach was unstabilized, the pilot did not attempt a go-around, and the airplane bounced after landing long down the runway. The pilot subsequently lost airplane control and the airplane came to rest inverted in a grassy area about 2,500 ft down and 200 ft east of the runway. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of a preaccident malfunction or anomaly. The pilot held no Federal Aviation Administration medical certificate, nor was she required to. Autopsy findings showed an acute stroke in her left basal ganglia, as well as an enlarged heart and hypertensive kidney disease. Personal medical records showed the pilot was being treated for hypertension, a major risk factor for stroke, with four medications needed to control her blood pressure. Symptoms of a basal ganglia stroke can include a sudden severe headache, one-sided numbness and weakness, double vision, and loss of coordination; symptoms typically occur over minutes to hours. While it is unknown what symptoms the pilot may have experienced, given the operational aspects of this accident, impairment or distraction would be likely from an acutely evolving stroke. Thus, the pilot’s stroke likely contributed to this accident. Postmortem toxicology testing did not detect any sedating or impairing medications in the pilot’s cavity blood or liver tissue. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 2020, about 1030 eastern daylight time, an Evektor-Aerotechnik AS Sportstar, N820NG, was substantially when it was involved in an accident near Ocala, Florida. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to local law enforcement officials, the pilot was returning to Leeward Air Ranch Airport, Ocala, Florida (FD04) following a morning flight to Williston, Florida. A witness reported that the airplane was landing on runway 18; however, it was higher than normal on final approach. The airplane touched down “quite a way” down the runway, bounced, came back down, and bounced a second time. The airplane then banked to the left and went out of sight at the left side of the runway. Another witness observed the airplane while taking a break from working on this home. He observed the airplane flying southbound and flying “very low” while trying to land. The right, main tire hit the ground, the airplane bounced, flipped over, and came to a stop. According to the Florida Medical Examiner’s Office District 5 & 24 (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Seminole, and Sumter Counties), Leesburg, Florida, autopsy report, the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries due to the aircraft crash and the manner of death was accident. Toxicology testing performed by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected the nonimpairing compounds loratadine, desloratadine, and metoprolol in the pilot’s cavity blood and liver tissue. Acetone, which can be produced postmortem, was detected in cavity blood. The medical examiner reported that the pilot had an enlarged heart (420 grams), hardening of kidney arteries, and a 1-by-1-cm area of hemorrhage within the left basal ganglia indicative of an acute lacunar stroke. The 78-year-old female sport pilot did not have a FAA medical certificate nor had she ever applied for one. According to personal medical records, the pilot had a primary care visit 1 week prior to the accident. At that time, the pilot was 65 inches tall and weighed 178 pounds. Her medical diagnoses included high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and high cholesterol. She was prescribed hydrochlorothiazide, metoprolol, quinapril, and clonidine to treat high blood pressure. In 2018, a CT scan of her brain had shown a small amount of microvascular disease and old infarcts. The pilot’s logbook was not located after the accident; however, a signed insurance application, dated August 23, 2019, was located. The pilot reported on the application that the airplane was based at FD04. The last flight review on the application was in October 2017 (no specific date indicated). An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The wreckage was found inverted at a 61° nose-low angle and there was no fire. The fuselage and both wings were structurally damaged. The airplane came torest about 2,500 ft down runway 18, and about 200 ft east of the runway, in a grassy area. The wreckage was recovered to a salvage facility where it was examined by an NTSB investigator. The airframe was intact; the engine was had impact damage signatures and was positioned on the front seats by recovery personnel. The leading edge of both wings had impact damage. The flaps were attached to the wings; however, both flap connecting rods were fractured. The ailerons were attached to the wings and were unremarkable. The empennage was unremarkable. Flight control continuity was established to all components. The rudder cable and elevator torque tube were cut by recovery personnel. A visual examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The top spark plugs were removed and showed normal wear when compared to a Champion inspection chart. Compression and suction were established on all cylinders and valve action was correct. All three propeller blades were fractured off at the hub. Both carburetors were fractured at their mounts and partially attached by cables. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N820NG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N820NG-2021-04-05), registration cancelled 2021-04-05, S/N 20070818, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Evektor Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR (No Series) - Registry model: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/evektor-aerotechnik-sportstar) (registry code 0600012) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20070818 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 441 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 2020 - Departed: X60, Williston, FL - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FD04, Leeward Air Ranch, runway 18, 6,247 × 150 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: fatal; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 302 total, 277 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: OCF, 11 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 20200701008469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200701008469A), Jul 1, 2020: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, Ocala, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot was landing on a grass runway in a private community fly-in airport where she resides. During the landing, the aircraft crashed off the runway by approx.… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101517. 25.2 MB in all. - Witness statement 1 (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12260994&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%20Witness%20Statement%201_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statement 2 (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 626 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12261217&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20Witness%20Statement%202_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Marion county FL sheriff's office incident report excerpts (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12261255&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20Marion%20County%20SO%20Incident%20Report%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's signed insurance application (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12261115&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3a%20Signed%20Insurance%20Application_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB memorandum for record - maintenance logbook entries (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 449 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12260535&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Maintenance%20Logbook%20Entries_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 6, PDF, 7 pages, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12260719&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Wreckage diagram (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 11.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12260904&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6%20Wreckage%20Diagram-Rel.pdf - Wreckage position (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12326370&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Position-Rel.pdf - NTSB examination summary (item 9, PDF, 2 pages, 442 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12261778&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=7%20NTSB%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12261237&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=10%20Tox%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB medical factual report (item 11, PDF, 3 pages, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12260914&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=12%20ERA20LA234_Ocala_FL_Medical_Factual_FINAL_040821-Rel.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.