# NTSB GAA19CA446: Evektor Aerotechnik Sportstar, N409EV, Tracy, CA, July 21, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2019, 18:00 local (Jul 21, 2019, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Tracy, CA - Coordinates: 37.673053, -121.438056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6731&lon=-121.4381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99909 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA446 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99909/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99909 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA446 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent emergency landing and collision with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); 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. - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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, while conducting the preflight inspection, he mistook the voltmeter for the fuel gauge. The first leg of his flight was uneventful; however, on the return flight, the engine started to sputter and then lost all power. He navigated toward a nearby airport, but when he realized that the airplane would not reach the airport, he chose to land on a field near the south end of the airport. During the landing, the left wing impacted a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while conducting the preflight, he mistook the voltmeter for the fuel gauge. The first leg of his flight was uneventful, however, on the return flight, the engine started to sputter then experienced a total loss of power. He navigated toward a nearby airport. He noted that, as he approached the airport, it became apparent he would not make it to the airport. He then elected to land on a field near the south end of the airport. During landing the left wing impacted a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N409EV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N409EV-2020-10-17), registration cancelled 2020-10-17, S/N 20050409, built 2005 (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: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 20050409 - Year built: 2005 - Engines: Bombardier reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sunshine Flyers - Registered owner: Michael E Duncan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: E16, San Martin, CA - Destination: AUN, Auburn, CA - Airport: TCY, Tracy Muni - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 20, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 707.2 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: TCY ## 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 20190720018059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190720018059A), Jul 20, 2019: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. Flight departed auburn airport (kaun) for a flight to san martin airport (E16) and back to (kaun). Pilot reported misreading the fuel gauge and exhausted the… ## Other investigations on N409EV (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 WPR12CA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA077), Jan 14, 2012: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar (N409EV), San Diego, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate directional control during the landing roll. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 19, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99909. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 613 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Damage Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 535 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photos-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.