ANC15CA072

Factual narrative

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 area 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. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that he should have flown over the landing strip numerous times before attempting to land, and that he should have consulted with a local pilot about the landing conditions at the airstrip. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Knowledge-Knowledge of geographic area-Pilot
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-(general)-Contributed to outcome