Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR accident near Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 31, 2014
On August 31, 2014 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 2007 Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, registered N821EV, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Minneapolis, Minnesota (Airlake 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).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of control while landing with a crosswind. Contributing to the accident was the pilot lack of experience flying in similar weather conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 31, 2014 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Minneapolis, Minnesota · Airlake · 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, built 2007 · all SPORTSTARs on the register
- Registration
- N821EV · no longer on the register · serial 20070821
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot maneuvered the airplane to land on runway 12 at the destination airport. Wind was from 190 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 18 knots. The estimated crosswind component was between 10.5 to 17.5 knots. The pilot crabbed the airplane on a 1-2 mile straight-in approach for the runway. Prior to landing, the pilot aligned the nose of the airplane with the runway centerline and reduced power. When the airplane touched down a gust of wind lifted the right wing and lowered the left wing to the runway. As the pilot initiated a go-around the left wing contacted the ground and control of the airplane was lost. The pilot stated that the airplane then stalled and impacted the ground. The pilot reported that his flight school did not fly if the crosswind component was 10 knots or higher and as a result he did not have much experience flying in winds greater than 10 knots of crosswind.
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
- Other weather encounter during landing
- Abnormal runway contact during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR go-around)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Ability to respond/compensate
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 285 hours in all; 260 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 30, 2013
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 685 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 28, 2014; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,268 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 ULS; 602 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FCM Minneapolis MN at 6:00 pm
- Destination: LVN Minneapolis MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 4,098 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 pm from KLVN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN14CA470.