Probable cause
The sport pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during taxi as a result of improperly manipulating the engine power.
NTSB analysis
The sport pilot landed the airplane and was taxiing to his hangar. He maneuvered the airplane to position it for a push back when he was confused by the engine controls and added power instead of reducing power. The airplane taxied off the movement area, down into a ditch colliding with terrain. The firewall and forward fuselage sustained substantial damage during the impact sequence. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14CA175 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 28, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Monterey, California
- Nearest airport
- Monterey Peninsula (MRY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Evektor-Aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR PLUS
- N-number
- N923LA
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2007
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.