Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR N804EV

Summary

On 26 July 2015 at about 14:15 local time, a Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR registered N804EV was involved in an accident near Eufaula, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 July 2015 at 14:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Eufaula, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Weedon Field (EUF)

Coordinates

31.9503, -85.1292

Aircraft

Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR

Registration

N804EV

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Eufaula → Headland

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA15CA198

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain direction control during takeoff, and the pilot's failure to ensure that the canopy of the airplane was secured and locked prior to departure.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after completing his before takeoff checklist, the checklist was "blown" outside of the airplane. After he retrieved the checklist and restarted his engine, he stated that he "scanned all the instruments but did not go through the complete checklist". As the main landing gear lifted off the runway during the takeoff roll the canopy "popped up". The pilot stated that as he was attempting to close the canopy, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway and impacted trees about 8 feet above the ground.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage.   The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.