# NTSB MIA07CA112: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar, N812EV, Greenville, SC, June 27, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 27, 2007, 10:47 local (14:47 UTC) - Place: Greenville, SC - Coordinates: 34.758335, -82.375 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7583&lon=-82.3750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Colombia, SC - NTSB case key (mKey): 66079 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66079/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA112 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent use of the wrong rudder during initial climb which resulted in a loss of control and collision with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - rudder - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go landings and he believes that a sudden crosswind from the right lifted the light sport airplane's wing abruptly, and caused his foot to slide off the right rudder pedal, unknowingly onto the copilot's left rudder pedal. He further stated that at that time he depressed the pedal which caused the airplane to veer to the left and depart the runway while airborne. He said he was unable to "straighten the nose back to the original heading and lift the left wing with what was believed to be right rudder", and the left wing impacted the ground. The pilot said that pilot's right rudder pedal was too close to the copilot's left rudder, without any partition separating them and the rudder pedals had no foot guards to prevent feet from sliding off the pedals. The pilot said that prior to the accident, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 23 at Greenville, SC, airport, and he believes that a sudden crosswind from the right lifted the light sport airplane's wing abruptly, and caused his foot to slide off the right rudder pedal, unknowingly onto the copilot's left rudder pedal. He further stated that at that time he depressed the pedal which caused the airplane to veer to the left, and depart the runway while airborne. He said he was unable to "straighten the nose back to the original heading and lift the left wing with what was believed to be right rudder", and the left wing impacted the ground. Upon examination of the cockpit after the accident, the pilot said it was readily seen that pilot's right rudder pedal was too close to the copilot's left rudder, without any partition separating them. He also said that none of the rudder pedals had foot-guards to prevent feet from sliding off the pedals, and that there were no mechanical failure or malfunctions to any of the airplane's systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N812EV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N812EV), registered now, S/N 20070812 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Evektor-Aerotechnik AS Sportstar - 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: 20070812 - Airframe hours: 47 - Engines: Rotax ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aviation Service Group LLC (Avserve) - Registered owner: Copper Harbor LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007 - Departed: GYH, Greenville, SC - Destination: GYH - Airport: GYH, Donnaldson Airport, runway 23, 8,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2; last flight review August 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 13,833 total, 12 in this make and model, 5,681 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 22 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: GYH ## 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 20070627011709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070627011709A), Jun 27, 2007: Amtr SPORTSTAR, Greenville, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that this was his first flight in the aircraft and that he was flying solo to get familiar with the aircraft. He operated the aircraft… 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.