# NTSB SEA08LA164: Evektor-Aerotechnik SportStar, N918LA, Arlington, WA, July 8, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2008, 18:30 local (Jul 8, 2008, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Arlington, WA - Coordinates: 48.160556, -122.158889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1606&lon=-122.1589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68539 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68539/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA164 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll in gusty conditions. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 PLUS, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on runway 34, the airplane was buffeted by a gust of wind and it yawed to the left. He applied full opposite rudder control; however, the airplane veered off the runway. After the airplane exited the runway, the right main landing gear leg collapsed and the airplane came to rest adjacent to the runway. The student pilot stated that the winds at the time of the accident were from 280 degrees at 11 knots. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2008, at 1830 Pacific daylight time, an Evektor-Aerotechnik AS SportStar special light sport airplane (S-LSA), N918LA, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during the takeoff roll at the Arlington Municipal Airport, Arlington, Washington. The LSA student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane is registered to a private party and operated by Northwest Aviation Center of Everett, Washington. The local area instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In a written statement the student pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, on runway 34, the airplane was "buffeted" by a gust of wind and yawed to the left. He applied corrective actions, full opposite rudder; however the airplane exited the runway edge. After the airplane exited the runway, the right main landing gear leg collapsed and the airplane came to rest adjacent to the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and right wing. The student pilot reported that winds at the time of the accident were from 280 degrees at 11 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N918LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N918LA-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N 20070918 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Evektor-Aerotechnik SportStar - Registry model: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/evektor-aerotechnik-sportstar-plus) (registry code 060004N) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 918 - Airframe hours: 195 - Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Northwest Aviation Center - Registered owner: Marsha Thue - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 2008, 95 hours before - Departed: KAWO, Arlington, WA - Destination: KAWO, Arlington, WA - Airport: KAWO, Arlington, runway 34, 5,332 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 17 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: KAWO, 1 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 20080707841639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080707841639A), Jul 7, 2008: Amtr SPORTSTAR, Arlington, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot was on takeoff roll beginning a solo flight observed by CFI on ground. At rotation speed he rotated the nose up and felt the aircraft turn… 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.