Evektor Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus accident near Richmond, Texas, May 29, 2010
On May 29, 2010 at about 5:50 pm local time, a Evektor Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus, registered N121EV, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Richmond, Texas (Covey Trails Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The opening of the cockpit canopy in-flight due to improper latching, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2010 · about 5:50 pm local time
- Place
- Richmond, Texas · Covey Trails Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Evektor Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus
- Registration
- N121EV · no longer on the register · serial 20081011
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Doors › Passenger/crew doors › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,662 hours in all; 100 in this make and model
- Last flight review: March 23, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 101 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 21, 2010; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,268 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X09 Richmond TX
- Destination: X09 Richmond TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,352 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from TME, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.