Amateur-built BEARHAWK accident near Elko, Nevada, January 16, 2021
On January 16, 2021 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 2008 amateur-built BEARHAWK, registered N2828M, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Elko, Nevada. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 16, 2021 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Elko, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BEARHAWK, built 2008
- Registration
- N2828M · no longer on the register · serial 056-107/108-854
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Glare › Effect on personnel
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all; 1,430 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 2,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 18, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,480 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 1, 2020; 55 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 5,100 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KEKO Elko NV at 8:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.34 inHg
- Observation at 1:56 pm from KEKO, 11 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KEKO 162156Z AUTO 17003KT 10SM CLR 09/M02 A3034 RMK AO2 SLP276 T00941022
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 1, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.