Amateur-built BERKUT 540 accident near Jackpot, Nevada, July 1, 2000
On July 1, 2000 at about 8:15 pm local time, a amateur-built BERKUT 540, registered N600SE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jackpot, Nevada (Jackpot/Hayden Fld airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's loss of control on landing after encountering a dust devil/whirlwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 1, 2000 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Jackpot, Nevada · Jackpot/Hayden Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BERKUT 540
- Registration
- N600SE · registry record
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On short final, the airplane rolled over and crashed on the side of the runway. The pilot of the airplane that landed ahead of the accident airplane observed numerous dust devils and gusty winds in the airport vicinity and broadcast an advisory about the conditions. Thunderstorms were in the area, and the winds were 10 to 15 knots and swirling.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 850 hours in all; 150 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 06U
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 6,200 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 180°F (82°C), dew point 118°F (48°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from TWF, 33 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.