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July 5, 2018 · Evektor Aerotechnik Sportstar No Series · N902HB

Louisburg, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Louisburg, NC
Aircraft
Evektor Aerotechnik Sportstar No Series (2006)
Tail Number
N902HB
Operator
Total Flight Aircraft Leasing
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA394

The solo student pilot reported that, after completing a touch-and-go landing without incident, during the takeoff, the airplane drifted left off the runway toward a wooded area. He attempted to slow and stop the airplane, but it struck a culvert, which "launched" the airplane back into the air. He then increased the engine power to full, pitched the nose up, flew the airplane back into the traffic pattern, and landed without further incident. After taking time to gather himself, the student took off again, this time to conduct a basic navigation exercise in the local area, but he became disoriented and used the airplane's GPS to return to the departure airport. The student stated that he was distracted during the downwind leg due to the previous runway excursion and the navigation issues he experienced during the accident flight and allowed the airspeed to decrease, which resulted in the airplane stalling. While making the turn to base, the student overcorrected with left rudder, which resulted in the airplane entering a spin and subsequently colliding with trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's distraction due to a previous runway excursion and navigational issues during the accident flight and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the downwind leg, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.

Full Narrative

The solo student pilot reported that, during the initial climb, the airplane drifted off the runway to the left towards a wooded area. He attempted to slow and stop the airplane, but the airplane struck a culvert, which "launched" the airplane back into the air. He then increased the engine power to full, pitched the nose up, flew the airplane back into the traffic pattern and landed without further incident. After taking time to gather himself, he departed to conduct a basic navigation exercise in the local area, but became disoriented, and used the airplane's Global Positioning System (GPS) to return to the departure airport. Due to previous issues with touch-and-goes and navigation issues during the flight, the pilot was mentally distracted on downwind and allowed the airplane to slow. During the turn to base, the airplane stalled, and the pilot overcorrected. The airplane entered a spin and collided with trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EDT
Nearest AirportTriangle North Executive (1nm NE)
Runway23
Runway Length5498 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEvektor Aerotechnik Sportstar No Series
Tail NumberN902HB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTotal Flight Aircraft Leasing
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsBombardier · Rotax · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time19:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data