No fatalities

9 Aug 2010: EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS SPORTSTAR PLUS — LIBERTY SPORT AVIATION LP — Lancaster, PA

Lancaster, PA, United States

On 9 Aug 2010, an EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS SPORTSTAR PLUS operated by LIBERTY SPORT AVIATION LP was involved in an aviation accident near Lancaster, PA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot overcompensated with rudder during takeoff on runway 26, causing the airplane to veer left. After an aborted takeoff, the aircraft struck a hay bale in a field, resulting in substantial damage.

Accident Narrative

The student pilot began his takeoff roll on runway 26. This runway is composed of asphalt and measures 6,934 feet in length and 150 feet in width. When the airplane reached an airspeed of approximately 40 knots, it became uncontrollable and diverged to the left. The pilot attributed this loss of control to overcompensation with the rudder.

In response, the pilot reduced engine power with the intention of regaining control. Nevertheless, the aircraft became airborne. The pilot subsequently advanced the throttle to full power, but the airplane then entered a descent. Observing that the airplane would not be able to clear a corn field situated to the left of the runway, the pilot once again decreased engine power. The airplane subsequently made contact with the ground in the field and collided with a bale of hay. This impact resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and the fuselage.

The pilot stated that no mechanical failures or malfunctions affected the airplane during the event.

Pilot Background

The student pilot reported a total of 19 hours of flight experience, all of which were accumulated in the same make and model of airplane as the accident aircraft. The wind at the airport near the time of the occurrence was from 200 degrees at a speed of 7 knots.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot