Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR accident near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, April 25, 2012
On April 25, 2012 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, registered N505EV, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Lancaster 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 pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff, and her delayed remedial action in aborting the takeoff after the loss of directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 25, 2012 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania · Lancaster 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
- N505EV · no longer on the register · serial 20050505
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After the pilot applied full engine power for takeoff, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot attempted to apply right rudder, but was unsuccessful in regaining control of the airplane before it departed the runway surface. The airplane bounced several times as it continued across the grassy area adjacent to the runway and a taxiway before it came to a stop. During the accident sequence the firewall was substantially damaged. Examination of the airplane's rudder and nosewheel steering system revealed no evidence of any preimpact 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 on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 440 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 254 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 30, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 356 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 8, 2011; 213 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,268 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Sportstar 505Ev LLC
The flight
- Departed from: LNS Lancaster PA at 3:00 pm
- Destination: LNS Lancaster PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 4,101 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from LNS
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.