N901LA

Substantial
None

EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS SPORTSTARS/N: 20070901

Accident Details

Date
Friday, September 12, 2008
NTSB Number
DFW08LA231
Location
Roanoke, TX
Event ID
20081003X17331
Coordinates
33.049720, -97.232223
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight experience in the make and model of airplane.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS
Serial Number
20070901
Engine Type
4-cycle
Year Built
2007
Model / ICAO
SPORTSTAREVSS
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
SPORTSTAR

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
TRIPLETT GEORGE E
Address
278 NE MEADOW LN
City
ELGIN
State / Zip Code
OK 73538-2329
Country
United States

Analysis

On September 12, 2008, about 1240 central daylight time, a single-engine Evektor-Aerotechnik SportStar, special light sport airplane, N901LA, was substantially damaged following a loss of control shortly after landing at the Northwest Regional Airport (52F), near Roanoke, Texas. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to Sanino and Associates LLC, of Denton, Texas, and operated by North Texas Flight Academy of Roanoke, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight had originating from 52F about 1215.According to the pilot, after landing for his fifth touch-and-go maneuver he applied full engine power for takeoff. As the engine power was applied the airplane began to swerve towards the left side of the runway. To arrest the swerve the pilot applied right rudder pedal which resulted in a swerve back to the right. Unable to stop this swerve the airplane exited the right side of the runway. Moment later the airplane's right main landing gear and nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest in grass alongside the runway in an upright position. The pilot and passenger were able to exit unassisted. The pilot later reported that he had previously accumulated 2 flight hours in the accident airplane's make and model.

The NTSB investigator-in-charge examined the airplane upon recovery. The examination revealed that the airplane's left wing and fuselage had sustained structural damage during the accident. In addition, no anomalies were found that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane's flight controls.

The weather observation station at Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW), located 7 miles southwest of the accident site reported winds to be variable at 3 knots around the time of the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW08LA231