Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR accident near Newark, Illinois, September 12, 2014
On September 12, 2014 at about 8:44 pm local time, a 2007 Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, registered N800NW, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Newark, Illinois (Cushing Field Ltd Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot did not maintain proper airspeed during the simulated emergency landing and failed to relinquish control to the flight instructor when the flight instructor attempted to intervene, which resulted in the loss of control. Contributing was the flight instructor's failure to properly monitor the student pilot, and the poor communication between the flight instructor and student pilot.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 2014 · about 8:44 pm local time
- Place
- Newark, Illinois · Cushing Field Ltd Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR NO SERIES, built 2007 · all SPORTSTARs on the register
- Registration
- N800NW · no longer on the register · serial 20070820
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that the student pilot made a normal takeoff from a turf runway. While the student pilot was flying the departure leg, the flight instructor initiated a simulated engine failure. During the student pilot's approach, the flight instructor noticed the airspeed deteriorate. The flight instructor stated that when he attempted to assume control of the airplane, the student pilot did not release the controls. A sink rate developed and the airplane struck a power line prior to the runway. During ground impact, both wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The student pilot did not recall the accident sequence of events due to his injuries.
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 approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student/instructed pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Instructor/check pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › Lack of communication › Instructor/check pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › Lack of communication › Student/instructed pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,720 hours in all; 800 in this make and model; 130 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 1,500 as pilot in command; 988 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 22, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 32 hours in all; 32 in this make and model
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912US (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0C8 Newark IL at 8:43 pm
- Destination: 0C8 Newark IL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,831 ft by 180 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,300 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observation at 8:52 pm from KARR, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 2 |
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 CEN14CA499.