# Accident 20180421025049A: Republic RC-3, Pelion, SC, April 21, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 21, 2018, 11:45 local time
- Place: Pelion, SC
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.7958° N, 81.2458° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7958&lon=-81.2458&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9042N, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9042N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Republic RC-3 (registry code 3080202, https://openairdocs.org/model/republic-rc-3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming GO-480 series (registry code 41527, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: REPUBLIC RC-3
- Reported engine: LYCOMING GO-480 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 26,450 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA18CA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA225) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180421025049A

## Narrative

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

ON APRIL 20, 2018 AT 1145 LOCAL TIME, AIRCRAFT LANDED AT PELION, SC AIRPORT, UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY IN WHICH IT MADE CONTACT WITH A SMALL DITCH. THE SIDE LOAD THAT WAS IMPOSED CAUSED THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR TO BREAK AND FOLD UNDERNEATH THE AIRFRAME. THIS CAUSED THE RIGHT WING TO DROP AND CAUSED A BENT WING SPAR THUS CLASSIFYING THIS AS AN ACCIDENT.  THE LOWER RIGHT FORWARD SIDE OF THE KEEL AND BOW SKIN HAS MINOR DAMAGE. ADDITIONALLY THE RIGHT FLOAT AND STRUT ASSEMBLY HAS MINOR DAMAGE.

THE WINDS WERE DIRECTLY CROSS AND GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS.  THE PILOT ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE AIRCRAFT. THE RUDDER AND STEERING SYSTEM WAS EXAMINED AND NO DEFECTS WERE NOTED.

## 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 GAA18CA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA225), Apr 21, 2018: Republic RC 3 (N9042N), Pelion, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.

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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