Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR accident near Columbus, Ohio, August 26, 2012
On August 26, 2012 at about 4:15 am local time, a Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, registered N904LA, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (to runway) near Columbus, Ohio (Port Columbus Intl Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the right main landing gear strut due to a preexisting crack.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2012 · about 4:15 am local time
- Place
- Columbus, Ohio · Port Columbus Intl Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR · all SPORTSTARs on the register
- Registration
- N904LA · no longer on the register · serial 20070904
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While taxiing the rental airplane for departure, the pilot felt the right brake fail, which initiated a left turn. The pilot attempted to correct the turn by applying the right rudder pedal, but the airplane veered onto the grass, pivoted 180 degrees back onto the taxiway surface, and came to rest. Examination of the airplane showed that a portion of the right main landing gear strut had separated, and the right wing was buckled. The strut fracture surface showed discoloration consistent with a preexisting crack. The airplane’s most recent 100-hour inspection was completed 5 days before the accident.
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
- Aircraft structural failure during taxi (to runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Main gear strut/axle/truck › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,636 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 1,600 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 736 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 21, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 1,167 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CMH Columbus OH at 4:15 am
- Destination: O74 Mount Victory OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.
Other NTSB records under N904LA 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.