N3435F

On June 15, 2003 at 2000 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 182J, N3435F, registered to and operated by Blue Sky Wings LLC, collided with the runway while attempting a landing on runway 05 at Moore County Airport, Southern Pines, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damaged. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from New Hanover International Airport, Wilmington, North Carolina, at 1900 on June 15, 2003.

According to the pilot during the cross-country flight he entered the landing pattern and the winds changed from favoring runway 23 to runway 05. The pilot reentered the pattern for runway 05. On short final, the pilot reported that the wind shifted to a crosswind of approximately 16 knots based on the sock and reported it was "very gusty right at landing." At the time of the accident, the Pinehurst/Southern Pines weather station reported that winds were from 030 degrees at 6 knots with no gusts. During landing roll, the pilot noticed that the nose wheel tire had blown. The pilot did not report any flight control or mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.

Examination of the airplane revealed buckling of the lower engine firewall, a flat nose wheel tire and a bent propeller. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any flight control or mechanical malfunctions.