# NTSB WPR12CA077: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar, N409EV, San Diego, CA, January 14, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 14, 2012, 11:58 local (19:58 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.572223, -116.980278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5722&lon=-116.9803&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82682 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82682/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82682 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA077 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate directional control during the landing roll. ## 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) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: 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) ## Analysis The pilot, who was making a full-stop landing, noticed that there was a left crosswind as he crossed the runway threshold. During the landing roll, the variable wind changed to a right crosswind, and the pilot did not adequately compensate for the change in the wind direction. He lost directional control of the airplane, and it departed the left side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot, who was intending to make a full-stop landing, noticed that there was a crosswind coming from the left as he crossed the runway threshold. During the landing roll, the variable wind changed to a crosswind from the right and the pilot did not adequately compensate for the change in the wind direction. He therefore lost directional control of the airplane, which subsequently departed the left side of the runway and sustained substantial damage to both of its wings. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions related to the accident. ## 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 AS SPORTSTAR - 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 - Serial number: 20050409 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sport Aviation Sales LLC - Registered owner: Sport Aviation Sales LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: KHMT, Hemet, CA - Destination: KSDM, San Diego, CA - Airport: KSDM, Brown Field, runway 26R, 7,972 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 774 total, 51 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KSDM ## 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 20120114002389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120114002389A), Jan 14, 2012: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he made a normal landing on rwy 26R. Experienced an uncontrollable left pulling sensation and was not able to correct. Lost directional control… ## 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 GAA19CA446](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA446), Jul 21, 2019: Evektor Aerotechnik Sportstar (N409EV), Tracy, CA, substantial damage. 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. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82682. 137 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361814&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.