# NTSB GAA16CA529: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar, N904LA, Delaware, OH, September 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 2, 2016, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Delaware, OH - Coordinates: 40.279724, -83.115554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2797&lon=-83.1156&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94451 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA529 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94451/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94451 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA529 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s inadequate compensation for the quartering tailwind on landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); 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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that during his first supervised solo landing that was conducted in light and variable crosswind conditions, he initiated a go around because, the wind had pushed him off course, and he was no longer in a good position to land. He further reported that during his second approach "everything looked good", but that immediately after the wheels touched down, the airplane veered to the left. He tried to compensate but "very quickly lost control". Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the left, the nose gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. A post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing rear spar. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of local weather at the time of the accident showed the wind 070 degrees true at 6 nautical miles per hour, and not gusting. The student pilot landed on runway 28. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that during his first supervised solo landing that was conducted in light and variable crosswind conditions, he initiated a go around because, the wind had pushed him off course, and he was no longer in a good position to land. He further reported that during his second approach "everything looked good", but that immediately after the wheels touched down, the airplane veered to the left. He tried to compensate but "very quickly lost control". Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the left, the nose gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. A post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing rear spar. The student pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of local weather at the time of the accident showed the wind 070 degrees true at 6 nautical miles per hour, and not gusting. The student pilot landed runway 28. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N904LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N904LA-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 20070904, built 2007 (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: 20070904 - Year built: 2007 - Engines: Rotax ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 2016 - Departed: DLZ, Delaware, OH - Destination: DLZ, Delaware, OH - Airport: DLZ, Delaware Muni - Jim Moore Fiel, runway 28, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 40; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 28.7 total, 20 in this make and model, 18.6 in the last 90 days, 2.5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KDLZ ## 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 20160902013729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160902013729A), Sep 2, 2016: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, Delaware, OH, Substantial damage. On 09/02/2016 at about 0940 (local), N904LA (a 2007 Evektor-Aerotechnik As Sportstar, serial number 20070904), lost control during landing and veered left off… ## Other investigations on N904LA (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN12CA600](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA600), Aug 26, 2012: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar (N904LA), Columbus, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the right main landing gear strut due to a preexisting crack. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94451. 4.1 MB in all. - Student Pilot_Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448283&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot_Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - CFI_Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448284&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI_Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 364 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.