12 Sep 2008: EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS SPORTSTAR — North Texas Flight Academy

12 Sep 2008: EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS SPORTSTAR (N901LA) — North Texas Flight Academy

No fatalities • Roanoke, TX, United States

Probable cause

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.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

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.

Contributing factors

  • factor Pilot
  • cause Directional control — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 000/03kt, vis 10sm

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