Casualties unknown

Low-Level Turbulence Leads to Landing Excursion and Tree Strike (N314FR)

Corolla, NC, US

On June 12, 2001, a Cessna 182S (registration N314FR) was involved in an aviation accident near Corolla, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: 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. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During approach, an airplane encountered low-level turbulence, drifted left, and touched down in soft sand left of the runway. The left wing struck a tree, causing the aircraft to pivot and come to rest perpendicular to the runway.

Incident Overview

According to the pilot, during the landing approach the airplane experienced low-level turbulence, which caused a drift to the left. The pilot applied aileron and rudder inputs in an attempt to correct the deviation, but the drift was not fully corrected before touchdown. The airplane subsequently touched down to the left of the runway centerline, onto soft sand. From that position, the pilot was unable to guide the airplane back to the paved surface.

Sequence of Events

After landing in the soft sand, the left wing contacted a tree, causing the airplane to pivot sharply to the left. This motion brought the right wing down, which then contacted the runway surface. The propeller subsequently struck another tree. The airplane continued to rotate until it came to rest perpendicular to the runway orientation.

Pilot Actions and Conditions

The pilot reported that the turbulence encountered was low-level, occurring during the final approach phase. Despite using both aileron and rudder controls, the lateral position could not be corrected in time. The soft sand on the left side of the runway likely reduced the aircraft's directional control authority after touchdown, preventing a return to the centerline.

Damage Assessment

The incident involved contact between the left wing and a tree, contact between the right wing and the runway, and propeller contact with a tree. The airplane came to rest in a perpendicular attitude relative to the runway. No further details about damage extent or injuries were provided in the source.

Contributing Factors

While the source does not explicitly state a probable cause, the sequence indicates that low-level turbulence initiated a lateral drift that was not fully corrected, followed by an off-centerline landing in soft terrain, which then led to collisions with obstacles.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010613X01174. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.