# NTSB ANC15CA072: Cessna 150D, N5947T, Delta Junction, AK, September 7, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 7, 2015, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Delta Junction, AK
- Coordinates: 64.01583, -145.726943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.0158&lon=-145.7269&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA Fairbanks FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC15CA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92017/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92017
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA072

## Probable cause

The pilots decision to land on an unfamiliar, unimproved airstrip which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Knowledge: knowledge of geographic area](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071810), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## 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.

## 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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5947T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5947T), registered now, S/N 15060647, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150D (D)
- Registry model: [Cessna 150D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150d) (registry code 2071810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15060647
- Year built: 1964
- Airframe hours: 3626
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 2015, 149 hours before
- Departed: D66, Delta Junction, AK
- Destination: D66, Delta Junction, AK
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 2, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 851 total, 290 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20150907016429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150907016429A), Sep 7, 2015: Cessna 150D, Gillam Strip, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on unapproved strip at Gillam glacier outside glenallen, AK. Pilot reported strip was narrow and on landing hit a bump and broke the right axle and…

## Other investigations on N5947T (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC85LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA067), Apr 21, 1985: Cessna 150D (N5947T), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC69D0118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0118), Mar 19, 1969: Cessna 150 (N5947T), Glennallen, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 7, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92017. 4.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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