# Accident 20160722017199A: Republic RC-3, Lake Alfred, FL, July 22, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 22, 2016, 09:53 local time
- Place: Lake Alfred, FL
- Airport: Winter Haven Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.0622° N, 81.7539° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0622&lon=-81.7539&mi=10
- Aircraft: N87570, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87570-2018-04-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Republic RC-3 (registry code 3080202, https://openairdocs.org/model/republic-rc-3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Franklin 6A8 series (registry code 27030, https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a8-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: REPUBLIC RC-3
- Reported engine: LYCOMING GO-480-G2D6
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 7,000 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA16LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA266) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160722017199A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PASSENGER STATED THEY TOOK OFF & WERE CLIMBING OUT. THE ENGINE SOUNDED FUNNY. SOME ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE  AND THE PLANE CRASHED.

THE PLANE DIDN'T SOUND SMOOTH AS IT USUALLY DOES.

MY HUSBAND IS JOHN MURPHY.

HE WAS NOT DRINKING OR USING ANY DRUGS.

THE PILOT STATED I AM A LICENSED PILOT.

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AIR PLANE CRASH.

IT WAS A NORMAL TAKEOFF FROM WINTER HAVEN AIRPORT.

WHEN WE CLIMBED TO ABOUT THREE HUNDRED FEET MY WIFE TOLD ME SHE SMELLED FUEL.

WE LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE AND BEGAN TO DESCEND.

THE PLANE HIT A TREE AND WE REGAINED POWER BUT WERE ALREADY CRASHING.

I WAS FLYING AT THE TIME BUT MY WIFE IS ALSO A PILOT WITH CERTIFICATION AND A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

I WAS NOT TAKING ANY DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.

I WAS TAKING MY DIABETES MEDICATION.

I DID NOT SMELL THE FUMES MY WIFE SMELLED.

I DID A MAG CHECK AND EVERYTHING ELSE I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO BEFORE TAKING OFF.

I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT.

I AM A CERTIFIED MECHANIC.

I HAVE WORKED ON THE PLANE EXTENSIVELY SINCE WE HAVE HAD IT.

I HAVE ABOUT 7,000 HOURS FLYING.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA16LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA266), Jul 22, 2016: Republic RC 3 (N87570), Winter Haven, FL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: Improper installation of a fuel line by unknown personnel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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