ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers say a small plane made a hard emergency landing at a private airstrip in Sterling, injuring its 72-year-old pilot.

Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen says Jerry L. Kincaid was alone in the plane, attempting to take off Thursday afternoon, when his engine died and the plane slammed into a runway.

The Anchorage Daily News reports that Federal Aviation Administration records show Kincaid owns the single-engine, home-built Waiex airplane.

Ipsen says Kincaid suffered head bruises and a possible concussion. He was flown to Providence Alaska Medical Center for treatment.

She says the plane’s undercarriage and landing gear were damaged.