# NTSB ANC25LA106: Brian Turner Northern Explorer, N907BT, Delta Junction, AK, August 6, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 5, 2025, 20:00 local (Aug 6, 2025, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Delta Junction, AK
- Coordinates: 64.11, -147.68
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.1100&lon=-147.6800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201015/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201015
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA106

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain obstacle clearance during landing, which resulted in an impact with trees.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Brian Turner NORTHERN EXPLORER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05634NZ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Brian Turner NORTHERN EXPLORER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05634NZ), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Brian Turner NORTHERN EXPLORER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05634NZ), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Brian Turner NORTHERN EXPLORER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05634NZ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he landed on an off-airport remote gravel airstrip surrounded by trees in a tailwheel-equipped airplane and the left wing struck a stand of trees during the landing rollout. The airplane turned left, and the right main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N907BT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N907BT), registered now, S/N 072515, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRIAN TURNER NORTHERN EXPLORER
- Registry model: [Brian Turner NORTHERN EXPLORER](https://openairdocs.org/model/brian-turner-northern-explorer) (registry code 05634NZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (registry code 42101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 072515
- Year built: 2015
- Engines: Continental Titan 340 174 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 2025
- Departed: PAAN, Fairbanks, AK
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2025; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,616 total, 1,200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: ABI, 52 nm away
- METAR: PABI 060353Z 24005KT 10SM FEW040 FEW060 SCT120 SCT160 19/11 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP132 SHRA DSNT SW T01940106 $

## Other investigations on N907BT (1)

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 ANC16CA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16CA056), Aug 8, 2016: Brian Turner Northern Explorer (N907BT), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 22, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201015. 3.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20396709&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19453488&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=no%20pics%20MOR-Rel.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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