# NTSB GAA15CA198: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar, N804EV, Eufaula, AL, July 26, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 26, 2015, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Eufaula, AL - Coordinates: 31.950277, -85.129165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9503&lon=-85.1292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91634 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91634/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91634 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA198 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain direction control during takeoff, and the pilot's failure to ensure that the canopy of the airplane was secured and locked prior to departure. ## 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: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [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, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after completing his before takeoff checklist, the checklist was "blown" outside of the airplane. After he retrieved the checklist and restarted his engine, he stated that he "scanned all the instruments but did not go through the complete checklist". As the main landing gear lifted off the runway during the takeoff roll the canopy "popped up". The pilot stated that as he was attempting to close the canopy, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway and impacted trees about 8 feet above the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after completing his before takeoff checklist, the checklist was "blown" outside of the airplane. After he retrieved the checklist and restarted his engine, he stated that he "scanned all the instruments but did not go through the complete checklist". As the main landing gear lifted of the runway during the takeoff roll the canopy "popped up". The pilot stated that as he was attempting to close the canopy, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway and impacted trees about 8 feet above the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N804EV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N804EV-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 2006 0804, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS 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: 2006 0804 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 269.3 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2015, 5.7 hours before - Departed: EUF, Eufaula, AL - Destination: 0J6, HEADLAND, AL - Airport: EUF, Weedon Field, runway 18, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review March 14, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 385 total, 245 in this make and model, 358 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KEUF ## 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 20150726013039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150726013039A), Jul 26, 2015: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, Eufaula, AL, Substantial damage. On July 26, 2015 about 0915 central standard time, a Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar, N804EV, was substantially damaged after takeoff at Eufaula, Alabama (keuf).… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91634. 812 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Pilot) (item 1, .PDF, 333 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431593&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Pilot)-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1-View of left wing damage (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 479 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431594&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-View%20of%20left%20wing%20damage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)%20-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.