Piper PA18, N45EH: Accident occurred May 30, 2016 in Black Rock Desert, Nevada

http://registry.faa.gov/N45EH

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA282
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, May 30, 2016 in Gerlach, NV
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/22/2016
Aircraft: G ELWIN HALVORSEN PA18WB/L21-180, registration: N45EH
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

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.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in a nose over.