# NTSB WPR14LA141: Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar, N817EV, Porterville, CA, March 20, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 20, 2014, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Porterville, CA - Coordinates: 36.030834, -119.059722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0308&lon=-119.0597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88946 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88946/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88946 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA141 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during 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) - [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, 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. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Evektor-Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, during takeoff, he felt the airplane dip right. When he reduced the throttle and applied brakes, the airplane suddenly spun left and exited the runway. A witness located adjacent to the accident site reported that he observed the airplane veer left during the takeoff, that he heard the engine power reduce, and that he observed the right main landing gear begin to "flip around" as the airplane exited the left side of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest adjacent to the runway in the opposite direction of the takeoff; the right main landing gear had separated. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Skid marks observed on the runway were consistent with all three tires skidding left to the edge of the runway before the right main landing gear separated. Recorded weather information revealed that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was about 10 degrees left of the runway heading at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 20, 2014, about 1650 Pacific daylight time, an Evektor-Aerotechnik-AS Sportstar, N817EV, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Porterville Municipal Airport, Porterville, California. The airplane was registered to and operated by Lighten Up Aviation LLC. under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge the student reported that during takeoff on runway 30, as the airplane accelerated past about 30 miles per hour, he felt it dip to the right. The pilot stated that when he reduced throttle and applied brakes, the airplane suddenly spun to the left and exited the runway. A witness, located adjacent to the accident site, reported that he observed the airplane veer to the left and the right wing drop during the takeoff roll. The witness stated that he heard the engine reduce in power, and observed the right main landing gear begin to "flip around" as the airplane exited the left side of the runway. He added that the airplane came to rest adjacent to the runway opposite the direction of takeoff, and that the right main landing gear had separated. Recorded weather information revealed that about 5 minutes after the accident, wind was from 290 degrees at 6 knots. About 20 minutes after the time of the accident, wind was from 270 degrees at 7 knots. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right main landing gear was separated and the right wing was bent up slightly about mid-span. The inspector stated that examination of the airplane did not reveal any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The inspector reported that skid marks, consistent with a left skidding turn, were observed on the runway surface. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N817EV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N817EV), registered now, S/N 20070817, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS SPORTSTAR (NO SERIES) - 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: 20070817 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 680 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 28, 2013, 40 hours before - Departed: PTV, Porterville, CA - Destination: PTV, Porterville, CA - Airport: PTV, Porterville Muni, runway 30, 5,960 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 40; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KPTV ## 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 20140320004129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140320004129A), Mar 20, 2014: Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. On March 20, at about 1700 PDT, a light sport aircraft with a student pilot at the controls was substantially damaged during takeoff. The pilot stated that… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88946. 6.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411874&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411875&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector’s Statement (item 3, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%E2%80%99s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View of skid marks on the runway (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411877&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20skid%20marks%20on%20the%20runway%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – View of skid marks on the runway (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411878&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20skid%20marks%20on%20the%20runway%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%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.