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GAA16CA289

2016-06-05 · Lone Pine, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

N6391L has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (ZIPLINE INTERNATIONAL INC P2 ZIP), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's incorrect brake and power application during landing, which resulted in a runway overrun, collision with a dirt berm, nose gear collapse, and nose-over.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll on a backcountry dirt airstrip, the left wing lifted due to a gust of wind. The pilot further reported that he maintained a faster than normal ground roll by alleviating pressure on the brakes and maintaining some power to taxi up the incline of the airstrip, which was recommended in a YouTube video. As the end of the runway approached, the pilot reported that he was unable to stop the airplane or abort the landing. The airplane overran the runway and hit a dirt berm, which resulted in a nose gear collapse, a nose-over, and substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that during the landing roll on a backcountry dirt airstrip, the left wing lifted due to a gust of wind. The pilot further reported that he maintained a faster than normal ground roll by alleviating pressure on the brakes and maintaining some power to taxi up the incline of the airstrip, which was recommended in a YouTube video. As the end of the runway approached, the pilot reported that he was unable to stop the airplane or abort the landing. The airplane overran the runway and hit a dirt berm, which resulted in a nose gear collapse, a nose-over, and substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Surface speed/braking-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Brake-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA289.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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