NTSB Factual Report

On April 12, 2006, at 1600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 0-1A, N3FS, registered to and operated by the North Carolina Forest Service as a public use flight, had the pilot lose directional control during landing roll at the Duplin County Airport, Kenansville, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot and passenger reported no injuries and the airplane received substantial damage. The flight originated from the Kenansville, North Carolina, at 1545.

The pilot stated that the flight was initiated for the purpose of observing the local forestry conditions, and after the observation flight was completed the airplane returned to the airport. The pilot noted that the wind conditions at the airport were 90 to 140 degree crosswinds on the approach to runway 23. The pilot stated that the approach and touchdown were normal, and as the airplane began to roll out "it was struck by a strong crosswind gust" which forced the airplane onto its right landing gear. The airplane yawed to the left and the pilot applied full right rudder. The pilot stated that the wheel/axle separated from the right landing gear leg and the airplane veered off of the runway to the left. The right landing gear leg separated from the fuselage, and the right wing tip impacted the ground. The pilot stated that the airplane came to rest 10 feet from the runway edge. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented with better skills and experience.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in an ground loop, and subsequent collision with ground.