Evektor-Aerotechnik As Sportstar Plus accident near Erie, Colorado, June 14, 2012
On June 14, 2012 at about 2:50 pm local time, a Evektor-Aerotechnik As Sportstar Plus, registered N617EV, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Erie, Colorado (Erie Municipal airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot’s improper performance of a soft field takeoff procedure, which resulted in a loss of airplane control, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to correct the situation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 2012 · about 2:50 pm local time
- Place
- Erie, Colorado · Erie Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Evektor-Aerotechnik As Sportstar Plus · all Sportstar Pluss on the register
- Registration
- N617EV · no longer on the register · serial 2007 1001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After the student pilot rotated the airplane for a simulated soft field takeoff, it began to drift to the right side of the runway and was slow to gain airspeed. He lowered the nose in an attempt to increase airspeed, but the airplane continued to drift to the right. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and pulled back on the control yoke to climb in an attempt to clear a house adjacent to the runway. The right wing clipped the roof and the airplane descended, impacted the driveway, slid across the street, and struck a stop sign. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Student pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Instructor/check pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: sport pilot; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 605 hours in all; 56 in this make and model; 70 in the last 90 days; 26 in the last 30 days; 555 as pilot in command; 303 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 1, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 20 hours in all; 20 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,939 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 17, 2012; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,268 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Bombardier-Rotax GMBH 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Sky Raider Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: KEIK Erie CO at 2:15 pm
- Destination: KEIK Erie CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 4,700 ft by 80 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N617EV the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.