# NTSB WPR13CA142: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar, N811EV, San Jose, CA, March 10, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 10, 2013, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: San Jose, CA - Coordinates: 37.332778, -121.803054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3328&lon=-121.8031&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86391 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86391/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86391 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA142 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately latch the canopy before takeoff. ## 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) - [Windows-windshield system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/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) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/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 reported that, as the airplane was about 10 feet above the runway during takeoff, the cockpit canopy began to open and rotate forward. The pilot reached up with his right hand to grab the canopy and hold it down. He decided to abort the takeoff and pointed the airplane back toward the runway. He could not manipulate the throttle with one hand on the stick and the other on the canopy, and the airplane landed at a groundspeed of about 55 knots. During the landing roll, the airplane departed the runway, substantially damaging the left wing root and buckling the fuselage behind the firewall. Postaccident examination of the canopy locking mechanism revealed that the canopy latch and handle were functioning properly. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was practicing stop-and-go landings when during the second takeoff, as the airplane was about 10 feet above the runway, the cockpit canopy began to open up and rotate forward. The pilot reached up with his right hand to the canopy handle, located above his head, to hold the canopy down. He decided to abort the takeoff and pointed the airplane back toward the runway. With one hand on the stick and the other on the canopy he could not manipulate the throttle and the airplane landed faster than normal. During the landing roll, the airplane departed the runway, substantially damaging the left wing root and buckling the fuselage behind the firewall. Post accident examination of the canopy locking mechanism revealed that the canopy latch and handle was functioning correctly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N811EV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N811EV-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 2006 0811, built 2006 (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: 2006 0811 - Airframe hours: 1638 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 2012 - Departed: KRHV, San Jose, CA - Destination: KRHV, San Jose, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KRHV, Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa, runway 31, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; student; medical: sport pilot; last flight review November 3, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 16,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KRHV ## 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 20130310005019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130310005019A), Mar 10, 2013: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. The student pilot stated that immediately after liftoff, the aircraft canopy latch became unsecure. The pilot then stated he lower the nose of the aircraft and… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 15, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86391. 11.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389523&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Right side of the airplane. (item 2, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389524&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20side%20of%20the%20airplane.-Master.PDF - Photo 2- Fuselage buckling. (item 3, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389526&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-%20Fuselage%20buckling.-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 240 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-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.