Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, which resulted in the airplane nosing over during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was conducting an off airport landing on a dry lakebed. During the landing roll, the main landing gear wheels sank into soft soil/sand, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, left wing, and left-wing strut.
The pilot reported that he had conducted multiple touch-and-go landings on parts of the lakebed prior and that the surface was softer than he anticipated during the accident landing.
The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA221 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 15, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Summer Lake, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- Dry Lakebed At Summer Lake.
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built GLASTAR
- N-number
- N399RS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1999
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.