Probable cause
The pilots decision to land on an unfamiliar, unimproved airstrip which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was on a local flight when he spotted a remote airstrip and decided to land. He said that from the air, the landing strip appeared longer and wider, but as he was nearing his touchdown, he realized that the landing area was smaller and rougher than expected. The airplane touched down, hit a bump, and bounced into brush on the right side of the landing strip, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC15CA072 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 7, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Delta Junction, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 150D
- N-number
- N5947T
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1964
- 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.