Cessna 0-1A accident near Kenansville, North Carolina, April 12, 2006
On April 12, 2006 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Cessna 0-1A, registered N3FS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kenansville, North Carolina (Duplin CO airport). It was a public-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in an ground loop, and subsequent collision with ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 12, 2006 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Kenansville, North Carolina · Duplin CO · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 0-1A
- Registration
- N3FS · no longer on the register · serial 51-1268
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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 accident could have been prevented with better skills and experience.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 2,310 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 82 in the last 90 days; 45 in the last 30 days; 1,896 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,836 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2006; 12,836 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental TIO-1420 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DPL Kenansville NC at 7:45 pm
- Destination: DPL Kenansville NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 6,000 ft by 90 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 12 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 7:59 pm from DPL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.