Evektor Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS N121EV

Summary

On 29 May 2010 at about 17:50 local time, a Evektor Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS registered N121EV was involved in an accident near Richmond, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 May 2010 at 17:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Richmond, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Covey Trails Airport (X09)

Coordinates

29.6839, -95.8375

Aircraft

Evektor Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR PLUS

Registration

N121EV

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Richmond → Richmond

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

CEN10FA278

1 person died.

The opening of the cockpit canopy in-flight due to improper latching, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was on final approach when it suddenly nosed down and impacted terrain about 400 feet short of the approach end of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright. The forward hinged cockpit canopy separated from the airplane during the impact and came to rest about 20 feet from the main wreckage. The pilot (who later died from his injuries) told several witnesses and first responders that the cockpit canopy came open in flight and he subsequently lost control of the airplane. A postaccident examination of the airplane and the cockpit canopy latch mechanism revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The canopy latch was likely not secured properly before takeoff because there were no witness marks on the latch mechanism.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.