N817EV

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.