# NTSB GAA16CA282: G Elwin Halvorsen PA18WB/L21-180, N45EH, Gerlach, NV, May 30, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2016, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Gerlach, NV - Coordinates: 40.757221, -119.212776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7572&lon=-119.2128&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93322 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93322/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93322 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA282 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [G Elwin Halvorsen PA18WB/L21-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=056328O), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [G Elwin Halvorsen PA18WB/L21-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=056328O), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [G Elwin Halvorsen PA18WB/L21-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=056328O), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [G Elwin Halvorsen PA18WB/L21-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=056328O), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [G Elwin Halvorsen PA18WB/L21-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=056328O), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [G Elwin Halvorsen PA18WB/L21-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056328O), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [G Elwin Halvorsen PA18WB/L21-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056328O), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45EH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45EH), registered now, S/N TC0609008, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: G ELWIN HALVORSEN PA18WB/L21-180 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [G Elwin Halvorsen PA18WB/L21-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/g-elwin-halvorsen-pa18wb-l21-180) (registry code 056328O) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c2a) (registry code 42285, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: TC0609008 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 184 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 14, 2016 - Departed: PVT, Reno, NV - Destination: 88NV, Gerlach, NV - Airport: 88NV, Black Rock City - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 17, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 263 total, 118 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KRNO, 81 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20160530017879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160530017879A), May 30, 2016: G Elwin Halvorsen PA18WB/L21-180, Gerlach, NV, Substantial damage. The pilot departed reno at about 10:35AM for the black rock desert. The pilot performed one successful landing on the playa and then tookoff and flew to the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 2, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93322. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.