Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Collision with Object (non-CFIT): Evektor-Aerotechnik SportStar Max, N644SB; accident occurred August 09, 2020 at North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT), Clark County, Nevada



Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Light Sport Aviation LLC


Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Accident Number: WPR20CA260
Date & Time: August 9, 2020, 10:00 Local
Registration: N644SB
Aircraft: Evektor Aerotechnik SPORTSTAR 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Analysis

The solo student pilot reported that during the landing roll, she was not ready to turn off the runway when the tower controller instructed her to exit the runway at taxiway "C". The pilot tried to follow the controller's instruction and made a turn at the taxiway. During the turn, the left wing was substantially damaged when it struck a taxiway sign.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's inadequate decision to make a premature turn onto a taxiway which resulted in a collision with a taxiway sign.

Findings

Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Student/instructed pilot
Personnel issues Incorrect action selection - Student/instructed pilot
Environmental issues Sign/marker - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll Miscellaneous/other
Landing-landing roll Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)

Student pilot Information

Certificate: Student 
Age: 19,Female
Airplane Rating(s): None 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: November 27, 2018
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 32 hours (Total, all aircraft), 32 hours (Total, this make and model), 1 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Evektor Aerotechnik
Registration: N644SB
Model/Series: SPORTSTAR No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Special light-sport (Special) 
Serial Number: 2006 0702
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: July 1, 2020 100 hour 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1320 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3038 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: C91A installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: 912/ULS
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 100 Horsepower
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVGT,2203 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 17:53 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 313°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 14 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 160° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 39°C / -12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Las Vegas, NV (VGT) 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Las Vegas, NV (VGT)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 09:44 Local
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: North Las Vegas VGT
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2205 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 12R 
IFR Approach: None 
Runway Length/Width: 5000 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Traffic pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 36.210834,-115.194442(est)

2 comments:

  1. One of the first concepts and words that a CFI needs to teach to a student is the word 'unable' and understanding and being confident that the PIC is ultimately the decision maker. Unfortunate accident for a new student and confidence shaking at minimum.

    ReplyDelete
  2. So many of these accidents point to the lack of competent instruction available today.

    ReplyDelete