ATL04LA026

According to the pilot while en route to his destination he encountered low clouds and the visibility started to deteriorate. The pilot stated that he was uncomfortable with the weather and the wind conditions at the time, and elected to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road. On touchdown the right wingtip hit the ground and the airplane spun to the right. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the outboard section of the left and right wings was bent. Two engine mounts were broken and the firewall was buckled. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane during flight.

On October 25, 2003, at 1900 eastern daylight time, Cessna 150G, N2678J, registered to and operated by a private pilot, collided with the ground during an precautionary landing on a dirt road near Kinston, North Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Columbus County Municipal Airport, Whiteville, North Carolina, at 1730 on October 25, 2003.

The personal flight was enroute to Northeastern Regional Airport, Edenton, North Carolina. According to the pilot while enroute to his destination he encountered low clouds and the visibility started to deteriorate. The pilot elected to do a 180-degree turn and make a precautionary landing at a nearby airport. The pilot stated that he was uncomfortable with the weather and the wind conditions at the time. The pilot elected to land on a dirt road. On touchdown the right wingtip hit the ground and the airplane spun to the right.

The pilot reported the winds were 15 knots and gusting. However, the 1855 Kinston Regional Airport weather observation facility reported winds from 110 degrees at 5 knots with no gusts, the visibility was 10 statute miles and a broken layer of clouds at 4400 feet. The weather reporting facility is approximately 15 statute miles from the accident site.

Initial examination of the accident site revealed the downed airplane came to rest on a dirt road approximately 15 miles from Kinston Regional Jetport at Stallings Field. The wreckage distribution of the downed airplane covered an approximate area of 75 feet wide and 75 feet long along a magnetic path of 260 degrees. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the outboard section of the left and right wings was bent. The empanage was buckled and twisted to the right. The engine crankshaft flange was bent. Two engine mounts were broken and the firewall was buckled. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane during flight.