# NTSB WPR14CA175: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus, N923LA, Monterey, CA, April 28, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2014, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Monterey, CA - Coordinates: 36.585834, -121.845001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5858&lon=-121.8450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89134 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89134/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89134 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA175 ## Probable cause The sport pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during taxi as a result of improperly manipulating the engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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) - [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 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) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: 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) - [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=060004N), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot landed the airplane and was taxiing to his hangar. He maneuvered the airplane to position it for a push back when he was confused by the engine controls and added power instead of reducing power. The airplane taxied off the movement area, down into a ditch colliding with terrain. The firewall and forward fuselage sustained substantial damage during the impact sequence. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The sport pilot had just landed after completing a local flight. He reported that while taxiing his airplane to position it for a push back into his hangar, he advanced power instead of reducing power. The airplane taxied off the movement area, down into a ditch colliding with terrain adjacent a taxi-way. The firewall and forward fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N923LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N923LA-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N 20070923, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS SPORTSTAR PLUS (NO SERIES) - 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: 20070923 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 2200 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: MRY, Monterey, CA - Destination: MRY, Monterey, CA - Airport: MRY, Monterey Peninsula, runway 28L, 7,616 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 3, 2013; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,791 total, 38 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KMRY, 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 20140428006229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140428006229A), Apr 28, 2014: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR PLUS, Monterey, CA, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Taxiing N923LA added power instead of reducing power when turning/parking his aircraft in front of his hangar. Lost control and exited… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89134. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413057&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View of Main Wreckage (item 2, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413058&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20%0D%0A-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.