NTSB Factual Report

On June 12, 2001, at about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182S, N314FR, registered to an individual, collided with trees during landing roll at Pine Island Airport, Corolla, North Carolina, while on 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Norfolk, Virginia, the same day, about 1230.

The pilot stated that while at about 10 feet above the runway, during the landing flare, the airplane encountered low level turbulence and drifted to the left. He corrected with aileron and rudder controls, but the airplane continued drifting to the left and the nose pitched up. The airplane was not aligned with the runway centerline upon touchdown, and continued into soft sand on the side of the runway, making it impossible to steer back to the runway. The left wing tip impacted a tree and the airplane pivoted to the left. The airplane then slid sideways and tipped onto the right wing tip, and the propeller hit a tree. The airplane then came to rest perpendicular to the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots failure to maintain directional control during landing flare and touchdown resulting in the airplane touching down on the left side of the runway and the left wing contacting trees.