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GAA16CA282

2016-05-30 · Gerlach, Nevada, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 88NV

Current FAA registration · N45EH

Make / Model
TURBINE CUBS OF WY LLC PA-18 REPLICA
Year of manufacture
2014 · 2 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING O-360-C2A (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20140305
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A5702F

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in a nose over.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, prior to landing on a dry lake bed, he made one low pass to assess the area where he intended to land. He reported that upon touch down, the wheels broke through the hard layer of the landing surface and there was mud underneath. The main landing gear wheels dug into the mud and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions during the flight with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. According to the pilot, prior to landing on a dry lake bed, he made one low pass to assess the area where he intended to land. He reported that upon touch down, the wheels broke through the hard layer of the landing surface and there was mud underneath. The main landing gear wheels dug into the mud and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions during the flight with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Decision related to condition - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Effect on operation - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Wet/muddy terrain-Effect on operation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA282.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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