Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.
NTSB analysis
As the pilot was landing on the airstrip, the right wing went up, the airplane drifted left, and the left main landing gear contacted a rock and separated. The airplane spun around and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot said he had landed at this dirt strip on several previous occasions.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA280 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 23, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Wasco, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- Deschutes River Dirt Strip (None)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Christen Industries A-1
- N-number
- N2870D
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.