Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR accident near Myerstown, Pennsylvania, August 12, 2012
On August 12, 2012 at about 2:35 pm local time, a Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR, registered N633EV, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Myerstown, Pennsylvania (Deck Airport). It was an instructional 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 student pilot's decision to continue the takeoff roll while trying to secure an open canopy and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to complete the pretakeoff checklist.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 12, 2012 · about 2:35 pm local time
- Place
- Myerstown, Pennsylvania · Deck 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
- N633EV · no longer on the register · serial 20060705
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot reported that he intended to conduct a solo flight. He used the airplane's checklist, started the engine, and taxied to the runway uneventfully. While holding short of the runway and completing pretakeoff checklist items, the student pilot was distracted by an airplane approaching to land. The student pilot missed the item on the checklist that called for locking the cockpit canopy. During the ensuing takeoff roll, the canopy began rattling and flapping open. The student pilot reached behind his head and attempted to secure the canopy. During that time, the airplane veered off of the left side of the runway and the left wing struck a propane tank. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane nor did the student pilot report any.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during standing (engine(s) operating)
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
- 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
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- 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
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Doors › Passenger/crew doors › Incorrect use/operation
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 69 hours in all; 69 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 31 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 518 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 9, 2012; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,268 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9D4 Myerstown PA at 2:35 pm
- Destination: 9D4 Myerstown PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 3,786 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from MUI, 10 miles away
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.