# NTSB WPR21LA092: Creek Michel W Bearhawk, N2828M, Elko, NV, January 16, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 16, 2021, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Elko, NV · Unimproved, off airport landing site on ridge - Coordinates: 40.934666, -115.60009 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9347&lon=-115.6001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 102542 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102542/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102542 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA092 ## Probable cause The pilot’s unstable approach to land, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent nose over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue an approach in sun glare conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Creek Michel W BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=05622Z9), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Creek Michel W BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05622Z9), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Creek Michel W BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05622Z9), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Creek Michel W BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05622Z9), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Creek Michel W BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05622Z9), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Creek Michel W BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05622Z9), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Creek Michel W BEARHAWK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05622Z9), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he was on an approach to land on a ridge with the sun partially blocking his vision. The pilot continued the approach and the airplane touched down on a slope, away from his intended landing point, and the left wingtip impacted the ground. The pilot added power, but the airplane continued down the slope, nosed over, and came to rest inverted in a ravine. Both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2828M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2828M-2023-05-02), registration cancelled 2023-05-02, S/N 056-107/108-854, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CREEK MICHEL W BEARHAWK - Registry model: [Creek Michel W BEARHAWK](https://openairdocs.org/model/creek-michel-w-bearhawk) (registry code 05622Z9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 056-107/108-854 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 1480 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2020, 55 hours before - Departed: KEKO, Elko, NV - Equipment: Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 18, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,430 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: KEKO, 11 nm away - METAR: KEKO 162156Z AUTO 17003KT 10SM CLR 09/M02 A3034 RMK AO2 SLP276 T00941022 ## 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 20210116000629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210116000629A), Jan 16, 2021: Creek Michel W BEARHAWK, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that during a westward landing attempted on a ridge top, the sun partially blocked his vision and he deviated slightly off course. The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 1, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102542. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 960 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11908704&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20092_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 897 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11909115&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20092-Rel.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.